Top 100 Apprenticeship Employers 2025 recognition for United Utilities

United Utilities has been recognised as one of the UK’s best employers for apprentices.

The North West water and wastewater company ranked 88th in the Sunday Times Top 100 Apprenticeship Employers and is the only utilities company to make the list.

The ranking celebrates the UK's outstanding apprenticeship employers, recognising their commitment to creating new apprenticeships, the diversity of their apprentices, and the number of apprentices who successfully complete their apprenticeships.

Apprentices at United Utilities earn while they learn, studying Apprenticeship Standards which are endorsed by Skills England and the Department for Education, while also gaining hands-on experience.  

Apprenticeship schemes vary from 18 months to six years for degree apprenticeships in subjects including engineering, quantity surveying, town planning, science and labs and run in conjunction with universities, colleges, training providers and United Utilities in-house dedicated Technical Training Centre.

This year, the company recruited 76 apprentices and has committed to recruiting more than 500 in the next five years. The 2024 cohort included 30% female apprentices, 5% from ethnic minority backgrounds, and 21% identifying with a disability. Notably, 68% of the cohort were aged between 16 and 18.

Jacqueline Kawczak, Senior Education Lead at United Utilities, said: “We're incredibly proud to have been recognised as one of the UK's top apprenticeship employers.  

“It’s vital for our business that we have a pipeline of talent supporting the skills growth required to deliver our five-year business plan.

“Apprentices play an important role, and we are proud to retain 90% of our apprentices, all of whom transition into substantive roles.

"Today’s recognition demonstrates our commitment to improving our talent pipeline by developing our workforce right across the region, as well as giving opportunities for new people to join us.” 

The new Sunday Times Top 100 Apprenticeship Employers 2025 ranking was launched with a special 90-minute TV programme showcasing the UK's top apprenticeship employers to the widest-possible audience of employers, school & college leavers, careers advisers and parents.

The prestigious annual ranking is entirely data-driven and the entry process has been designed to be simple for apprenticeship employers to complete.

The annual rankings are researched and compiled by High Fliers Research, who independently assess and rank the country's top apprenticeship employers on behalf of The Sunday Times.

Adrienne McFarland, People Director at United Utilities, added: “Apprenticeships are key to our organisation by developing a skilled workforce, boosting productivity, enhancing social mobility and driving economic value to the North West region.

“This recognition is well deserved for all the hard work and commitment by our team to nurture future talent and provide exceptional apprenticeship opportunities. We are immensely proud of the range of apprenticeship schemes we deliver, creating meaningful job opportunities and entry routes to join our organisation.”

For more information on United Utilities' apprenticeship schemes, please visit www.unitedutilities.com/corporate/careers/.