Water Minister praises Tideway apprentices during visit

A Minister praised the “exciting young apprentices” working on London’s ‘super sewer’ as she visited a Tideway construction site during National Apprenticeship Week.

More than 20 apprentices from across the project welcomed the Dr Thérèse Coffey MP to Kirtling Street in Battersea yesterday.

Dr Coffey said: 
“I very much enjoyed visiting the impressive Thames Tideway Tunnel project and meeting some of the exciting young apprentices who work there – they are learning the skills they need to succeed in their careers and giving the project the talent it needs to thrive.

“The project will modernise our capital’s ageing sewage system as well as improving the water quality in the Thames and helping wildlife by significantly reducing sewage pollution.”

Tideway apprentice engineer Bianca Wheeler said: 
“The Minister asked us lots of questions and was really interested in what we do. It was great to see how supportive she is of apprenticeships and promoting careers in STEM to young people.

“Being a Tideway apprentice means I can do my qualifications while getting experience working on one of London’s most exciting infrastructure projects. It’s so important to share with other young people how many great opportunities this pathway can offer.”

The 10th National Apprenticeship Week (NAW 2017) brought together employers and apprentices from across England to celebrate the success of apprenticeships over the last decade and will seek to encourage even more people to choose apprenticeships as a fast-track to a great career.

Both Tideway and its contractors are required to employ at least one new apprentice for every 50 site-based employees during the life of the project.  This requirement must include a mix of intermediate, advanced and higher level apprenticeships.