Young people turning to apprenticeships over university and continue to lean on parents for careers advice

With school leavers and university graduates entering the jobs market in London and across the Thames Valley region this Autumn, research released today by Thames Water reveals that three in four young people aged 16-25 surveyed think apprenticeships are more beneficial(1) than going to university (75%). 

However, despite the vast majority considering a career in science, technology, engineering or mathematics (95%(2)), with nine in 10 saying they’d recommend them to their friends (90%(3)), four out of 10,16-25-year-olds surveyed revealed they felt too old for an apprenticeship (43%(4)). 

Thames Water is encouraging young people to consider apprenticeships and careers in the water industry as the company plans record infrastructure investment between 2025 and 2030 as part of its turnaround plan to deliver for customers and the environment.   

Even though four in five young people surveyed said they want jobs which get them outdoors (80%(5)) and help the environment (84%(6)), nearly one in three (31%) thought they lacked the experience needed for an apprenticeship.  

Roles which are not the typical desk-based (70%), not nine-to-five jobs (65%) and that contribute to their local community (89%(7)), were among the top preferences found in the research, which also revealed parents retain the top spot for influencing polled young people’s careers decision (57%).  

Thames Water apprenticeship scheme  

Thames Water offers a range of college level to degree level apprenticeships including:  

• engineers 
• environmental managers  
• HGV drivers 
• cyber security technicians  
• project managers 

All apprentices are guaranteed employment once they successfully complete their qualification. The company also offers all apprentices two time-to-give days where they can volunteer for community and charity projects.  

Karima Khandker, Director of Resourcing and Skills at Thames Water, said: “Our research shows young people want careers which aren’t the typical 9-5, and which contribute to their local community, but many are concerned they don’t have the experience needed or think they are too old to consider an apprenticeship.   

“We offer a range of employment opportunities across our whole business to new apprentices and our colleagues who want to upskill and help us provide high quality drinking water and wastewater services to the communities we serve.  

"We have set out record infrastructure investment plans over the next five years to deliver for customers and the environment. We need to recruit, build and retain our workforce to help us deliver now and in the future – our apprenticeships are fully paid and are a great starting point to build lifelong sustainable careers.” 

Thames Water is committed to increasing the diversity of its workforce by building a pipeline of skills from local communities and the education sector and by creating lifelong employment and learning opportunities for its employees. The company has signed up to commitments such as the Care Leavers Covenant and Armed Forces Covenant as well as working with strategic skills organisations including 10,000 Black Interns to create employment opportunities in its business.   

In addition to increasing inhouse apprenticeships for current employees, Thames Water has a shared apprenticeship scheme within its supply chain to build sector-wide capability – a first of its kind in the water sector. Applications for the company’s next round of apprenticeship schemes, starting in September 2026, will open in January 2026.  

Georgia Callieu, Level 3, Maintenance and Operations Engineering Technician Apprentice said: “Thames has such a family like team, I knew I would be supported throughout my apprenticeship and that’s why I chose to apply.” 

John Kingdon, Operations Director for Galliford Try Environment said: “It is incredibly important to a business like Galliford Try that we partner with forward-thinking clients like Thames Water to provide meaningful opportunities for young people through apprenticeships. The flexibility apprenticeships offer in terms of a work and study balance means we can attract a more diverse workforce, which makes our work place a better place to be, giving us fresh perspectives and insights. As one of the leading employers of apprentices and graduates within the construction sector, we are committed to working with Thames to make sure we provide the best experience we can for our early careers people, and support their efforts to raise awareness of the fantastic possibilities apprenticeships offer.” 

Matt Bright, Director of Campaigns at Water UK, said: “Apprenticeships are at the heart of our industry’s plans to grow the skilled workforce needed for the future and it is great to see Thames Water showcase the opportunities available. We know young people want careers that make a difference, protect the environment and serve their communities. That’s why, following the landmark commitment by the water industry and government to recruit and train 50,000 people by 2030, we are focused on creating thousands of new opportunities for people from all backgrounds to build rewarding, long-term careers.” 

Find out more about careers at Thames Water: https://careers.thameswater.co.uk/ 

 

• The research was done by Opinion Matters, which surveyed 2,000 16-25 year olds, living in London, Oxfordshire, Wiltshire, Berkshire, Surrey, Buckinghamshire between 20/08/2025 and 02/09/2025. Opinion Matters abides by and employs members of the Market Research Society and follows the MRS code of conduct and ESOMAR principles. Opinion Matters is also a member of the British Polling Council. 

Footnotes 

1. “Much more benefit from an apprenticeship” and “Somewhat more benefit from an apprenticeship” combined 
2. “Fully considering” and “Somewhat considering” combined 
3. “Very likely” and “Somewhat likely” combined 
4. “Strongly agree” and “Somewhat agree” combined 
5. “Strongly agree” and “Somewhat agree” combined 
6. “Strongly agree” and “Somewhat agree” combined 
7. “Very important” and “Somewhat important” answers combined