Graduate programmes

It’s our job to bring three million households and 200,000 businesses, clean, clear water and to take their wastewater away so our customers can simply get on with their day.

Our operations department is at the heart of the company and is responsible for planning, operating and maintaining our water and wastewater assets, in order to provide an essential service for seven million customers in the North West of England.  

We look for graduates that have the capability to engage with people at all levels of the business and develop into outstanding leaders of the future, helping to deliver our ambitious plans, drive performance and improve customer service in a safe working environment. Sound like your cup of tea?

There has never been a more exciting time to join United Utilities to start your career in our Commercial, Engineering and Capital Delivery team. We are about to start the delivery of a Multi-Billion pound capital investment programme, delivering new infrastructure to provide a stronger, greener healthier North West. We will be delivering unprecedented environmental improvements, through exciting innovations, new blue green infrastructure and cutting edge project management, under a new commercial framework with different supply chain partners.   Whether you are joining one of our highly rated accredited training schemes to become a chartered Engineer or Modeller, you have a passion for Project Management or you are after a career in a stimulating Commercial environment, our ambitious investment programme offers opportunities for talented, motivated graduates to thrive and develop.

Commercial:

On the commercial graduate scheme you will develop the skills to procure, contract manage and control costs on United Utilities major capital projects. We will support you through the process to become an accredited NEC Project Manager, a highly sought after and recognised industry accreditation.  You will also receive the necessary experience to follow your chosen professional chartership route for Quantity Surveying (RICS or CICES), with the support of an experienced professional mentor.  Whilst being supported and guided all the way you’ll be exposed to industry leading ways of ways of working in procurement, quantity surveying and construction delivery, whilst working on one of the largest infrastructure programmes in the UK.  Working for United Utilities alongside the UK and Europe’s largest construction organisations, this is a fantastic opportunity to develop your network and secure a fantastic long-term career in the construction industry.

Engineering & Modelling:

Our graduate schemes are accredited to the relevant professional engineering institutions and run for 3 years, during which time you will develop your knowledge and experience primarily focused on becoming chartered, this may include short or longer placements to gain the range of experience and skills required by the Institutions, supported by a professional mentor. Your placements will be in multi-disciplinary project teams, contributing and delivering value while you learn and gain experience.

Project Management:

Project Management is at the heart of all the projects we deliver. Our graduates will undertake a three year programme shadowing and learning on the job from experienced mentors and line managers, delivering real projects that make a difference. The range of projects is immense, everything from engineering studies and investigations through to large construction schemes. At the heart of the graduate programme will be an alignment to the Association for Project Management (APM) competency framework. At the end of the programme our graduates are well on their way to becoming chartered with the APM (ChPP).

Whichever of our schemes you join our welcoming supportive team will be on hand to help you flourish into Commercial, Engineering and Project Management professionals, through line managers, mentors and graduate buddies.

As a finance graduate, you’ll have the chance to work alongside an established award winning finance team of over 120 employees, who have a great track record in delivering strong financial results.

The graduate scheme is 3 years in length in which you are fully supported, both professionally and financially, in obtaining your CIMA qualification whilst gaining hands on financial experience. You’ll receive a tailored development programme that is specifically aligned to the CIMA professional experience requirements with 3-12 month placements in a range of critical teams from Treasury to Taxation and Financial Control all based at our head offices, Lingley Mere, in Warrington.

It’s fair to say no two days will be the same, as you learn how we manage financial risk, implement robust financial controls, maintain good relationships with our investors and manage taxation.

From specialist training to mentoring and coaching, we’ll be with you every step of the way. Managers, mentors and graduate buddies will be on hand to support you through your CIMA studies, help you set personal targets and make sure you’re on the road to success.

Join United Utilities’ 3-year Graduate Programme in our Strategy, Policy and Regulation (SPaR) team and kickstart your career! In our SPaR department, you’ll work within a motivated team known for delivering excellent service to our customers. You’ll gain experience across the organisation, collaborating with professionals from various fields and building a strong professional network. You’ll also receive a tailored development programme with opportunities for placements in other business areas and potential sponsorship for further studies. The SPaR team handles diverse tasks, from providing economic advice and drafting regulatory submissions to conducting statistical analysis and supporting financial modelling. Mentors, managers, and graduate buddies will support you as you work towards your personal development goals. Start living your future today!