Economist Apprentice - Reading
THAMES WATER UTILITIES LIMITED
Berkshire, RG1 8DB
Closes in 10 days (Wednesday 5 March)
Posted on 11 February 2025
Contents
Summary
We are recruiting for an Economist Apprentice to join Thames Water in September. As a successful candidate, you will get to develop your knowledge in all things economics and regulation which will be complemented by your studies.
- Wage
-
£21,500 a year
Minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)
24 days holiday, pension and other discounts available.
- Training course
- Professional economist (integrated degree) (level 6)
- Hours
-
Monday to Friday. Exact times to be confirmed.
36 hours a week
- Possible start date
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Monday 1 September
- Duration
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4 years 6 months
- Positions available
-
1
Work
As an apprentice, you’ll work at a company and get hands-on experience. You’ll gain new skills and work alongside experienced staff.
What you’ll do at work
As an apprentice you also be supporting the Economic Regulation team and are accountable for the following critical activities for Thames Water:
- Annual tariff setting process
- The price review process. (business plan submission to Ofwat once every 5 years)
- Engagement and building a relationship with the economic regulator Ofwat
- Holding the business to account for regulatory deliverables
What you will be doing as an Economist Apprentice- Level 6
- Supporting with analysis – both financial and non-financial – looking at the internal performance of the business, the relative performance to the business and how the regulator may interpret that performance
- Assisting with macroeconomic reporting and the impact on Thames
- Helping to build a robust evidence base – asset, financial and economic – to underpin the PR29 business plan
- Supporting the wider team with ad hoc analysis, query responses, consultations and other work as it arises
Where you’ll work
Clearwater Court
Vastern Road
Reading
Berkshire
RG1 8DB
Training
An apprenticeship includes regular training with a college or other training organisation. At least 20% of your working hours will be spent training or studying.
College or training organisation
THE UNIVERSITY OF KENT
Your training course
Professional economist (integrated degree) (level 6)
Equal to degree
Course contents
- Applied economic and data analysis: Rigorously analyse complex information and data, drawing on economics knowledge and applying it to questions of interest for the organisation, while being aware of the limitations of economic analysis and the available data. Demonstrate an excellent working knowledge of and effectively use appropriate statistical and spreadsheet software to deliver this analysis. Approach analysis as a practical problem solver: choose the appropriate approach from a range of economic and other analytical tools, use judgement where data is incomplete, consider the context, degree of uncertainty, time pressures, and the question that needs answering. Ensure analysis has impact: explain what is happening and why it matters, and propose solutions.
- Communication: Clearly communicate economic concepts, analysis or advice, risks and uncertainty. Do this in both written and oral forms, to both specialists and non-specialists. Communicate with clarity and conciseness, tailoring communication to the audience to have the maximum impact. Demonstrate an ability to listen to, interpret and understand stakeholders’ needs, to ensure that economic analysis is answering a question that will address those needs.
- Synthesise evidence: Use personal judgement in collating evidence from a wide range of sources, evaluating the relevance, quality and validity of research, and demonstrate an ability to distil this evidence so that it answers the question at hand.
- Quality Assurance: Review and quality assure the analysis of others to ensure it is of high quality. Provide appropriate challenge to methods and results, and continually evaluate the quality of analysis to ensure that the organisation is producing robust economic analysis which can stand up to scrutiny.
- Planning and Prioritisation: Work to tight deadlines and respond to changing priorities. Effectively plan and prioritise time and coordinate the input of others in order to meet deadlines, across multiple projects.
- Team Working & Collaboration: Work effectively in teams and with others, maintaining effective, professional working relationship both internally and externally across organisations.
Your training plan
Programme delivery will consist of 3x12-week semesters each year, weekly online learning includes lecture recordings and assignments released on Monday, with a live webinar every Friday. Semesters 2 & 3 have two face-to-face seminars in London & Leeds.
Requirements
Essential qualifications
GCSE in:
- Minimum of 5 subjects including English/Maths (grade 4/C)
Other in:
- 120 UCAS tariff points (grade Equivalent to BBB at A-level)
Let the company know about other relevant qualifications and industry experience you have. They can adjust the apprenticeship to reflect what you already know.
Skills
- Communication skills
- Positive & proactive approach
About this company
At Thames Water, our purpose is crystal clear - to deliver life’s essential service so our customers, communities and planet can thrive. Water is life’s great leveller. Every living thing needs it, every single day. From people to plants, birds to bees, farms to factories, we all need it to thrive, and we’re committed to taking care of it for us all. But keeping water flowing is becoming harder. From scorching summers to wetter winters, extreme weather affects everything from our pipes to our local rivers. We must keep millions more kettles boiling, public services operating, washing machines spinning, showers running and more, so every drop is more precious than ever. Are you ready to play your part?
After this apprenticeship
- Permanent role upon completion
Ask a question
The contact for this apprenticeship is:
THE UNIVERSITY OF KENT
earlycareers@thameswater.co.uk
The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC1000302836.
Apply now
Closes in 10 days (Wednesday 5 March)
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After signing in, you’ll apply for this apprenticeship on the company's website.