A Day at Wessex Water

What I took away from SBA’s ‘Connecting to the Workplace’ event

SBA’s ‘Connecting to the Workplace’ events are designed to help people in Somerset who are struggling to find work by introducing them to a variety of companies and career opportunities they may not have considered. 

I attended an event at the Wessex Water Training Centre in Yeovil. The day began with an introduction to the company and its operations. We learned that Wessex Water not only supplies water to much of the southwest and manages wastewater treatment but also prioritises environmental protection and customer service. They offer a wide range of roles, including positions in operations, maintenance, engineering, IT, finance, project management, science, and construction. They even employ a K9 handler! Additionally, since Wessex Water is owned by YTL Group, career opportunities extend across YTL’s various companies. 

We then explored eight different roles within the company, identifying the top five skills and values required for each. For example, a customer service advisor needs strong communication, organisation, and industry knowledge while valuing honesty and kindness. In contrast, a digital engineer requires problem-solving, analytical, and IT skills, along with a solution-focused mindset and attention to detail. This exercise helped us reflect on our own skills and consider which career paths might suit us best. 

Later, we had the opportunity to interview Wessex Water employees. We asked about their motivations, what they had learned since joining the company, and what they loved most (and least) about their jobs. It was inspiring to see their enthusiasm and passion for their work, reinforcing the sense that Wessex Water is a great place to be employed. 

The day concluded with an interactive activity where we prepared for mock interviews. We used job role and company information to craft thoughtful questions that would not only demonstrate our interest in a position but also highlight how our values align with the company’s. This exercise was extremely useful and will definitely help when applying for future jobs. 

Overall, the event was a valuable experience that allowed me to analyse my skills more deeply and understand how to effectively communicate them in job applications. Hearing real-life career stories, including how one employee successfully transitioned to a new career through an apprenticeship, was particularly motivating. The genuine passion employees have for Wessex Water makes it clear that it would be an amazing place to work. 

Written by Elissa Malet – SBA CIC