An entrepreneurial business that serves millions...

The world’s fourth largest privately owned water company, we provide water and waste services to over eight million domestic customers across nine counties in England and Wales. Our business has been built upon the kind of innovation and entrepreneurial flair that has seen us go from strength to strength. What’s more, Severn Trent Water is exceptionally diverse. We provide customer management solutions for blue-chip customers as well as a portfolio of telecommunications, energy and insurance products for domestic and SME customers.

...and helps to protect the environment.

We believe that environmental leadership and commercial success can go hand in hand and in everything we do, we help to create a sustainable environment for the people we serve. We care about the community and environment we work within and are committed to a programme of education, investment and recycling.

Our Graduate Development Programme offers graduates personal and business skills training, including commercial awareness. You’ll also learn how to transfer your academic skills into the workplace. Team working and interpersonal skills development are considered key to your future, and the programme continually aims to build on these areas through team and individual assignments.

Severn Trent Water is committed to investing in its people through ongoing development. It means that when you finish the Graduate Development Programme you’ll only just be starting the next phase in your development. After the first year, promotion is based on merit and performance and, within three to five years, we would expect graduates to have attained a senior professional or managerial position.

We’re looking for graduates who have recently achieved or expect to achieve a 2:1 or above (2:2 for Engineering roles) in a wide variety of disciplines. You’ll also bring a strong commercial flair, genuine drive and ambition, and the commitment it will take to become a renowned business leader.

Q. What is the closing date for this scheme?
The closing date for the scheme is the 4th February 2005

Q. Can you tell me more about Severn Trent Water?
A: For further information, please visit our company website at: www.stwater.co.uk

Q. What kind of people are you looking for?
A: We are looking for talented graduates with a strong desire to succeed in their chosen field - and to be the future Managers of the company.

Q. Are there any specific requirements for applicants: Age, Qualifications, Experience etc?
A: You’ll need to have obtained, or expect to obtain, at least a 2:1 (or 2:2 for our Engineering opportunities). Ideally, we’re looking for graduates who have less than 12 months’ experience. Industrial placements are a particularly beneficial experience, but excluded in the 12 months qualifying period.

Q. Do you specify a degree discipline?
A: For certain departments like Engineering and Finance we require specific Engineering and Finance/Economics related degrees respectively. Some departments have a preference for science based disciplines however we would consider a wide range of disciplines.

Q. I am disabled, can I still apply?
Yes, of course. We actively promote diversity in our workplace.

Q. What is the salary package and benefits?
A: Your starting salary will be £20,000 per annum with a review after 6 months. As well as all the other benefits you would expect from such a forward thinking company - pension scheme, 25 days’ holiday per year, a flexible benefits package and relocation assistance – we offer outstanding training and development both in your first year, and throughout your time with the company. We’ll also support you to gain professional qualifications in your chosen field, where appropriate.

Q. When do recruits start?
A: The Graduate Development Programme will start in September 2005. However, we welcome Graduates who have been accepted onto the programme to commence their employment with us at an earlier date, where possible.

Q. Do you pay relocation expenses?
A: We pay relocation assistance to those who meet the requirements of the Graduate Relocation Scheme. This is a lump sum payment of £1,000 (after tax) which former graduates have found to be very useful!

Q. What training is provided?
A: Please see the Graduate Development Programme section

Q. What is the recruitment process?
A: Application forms are received online. If you are unable to complete our application online please contact us on 01635 584142 and we will send you a paper copy. Successful applicants will then be asked to attend an interview with the department. Candidates who are successful at this stage will then be shortlisted to attend an assessment centre. Places on the development programme are then offered.

Q. How long after I submit my application will I find out if I've made it to the next round?
A: You can expect to hear from us within 3 weeks of submitting your application. Please be assured we will contact you at the earliest opportunity with further news. You can also check the progress of you application on our website by logging in as a registered user.

FAQ's - About the website and application form.

Q. When I cut and paste my answers I keep getting a message saying that I'm over the character limit?
A: Most of the answer sections on the application form impose a character limit. The problem with some of your answers being over the character limit could be to do with the size or the layout of them. The character counter on the web page not only takes into account physical characters (a, b, 2 etc.) but also gaps between words. If there’s also excessive white space in your answers, it can also take this into account so we’d recommend deleting unnecessary white spaces and gaps. You can also try reducing the size of lengthy answers by summarising or abbreviating.

Q. Can I track the progress of my application after I've submitted it?
A: Yes, simply click the ‘login' button at the top of the website, then enter your Username and Registration ID and you will be told what stage your application is at.

Q. Can I view or print my application after I've submitted it?
A: Yes, simply click the 'login' button at the top of the website, enter your Username and Registration ID and then you'll see a link which will enable you to view or print your submitted application.

Q: When I submit my application, where does it go and who looks at it?
A: All applications initially go to the Severn Trent Graduate Recruitment inbox, which is managed by a third party agency GradWeb on our behalf. We work in partnership with them on the short listing process.

Q. If I prefer to complete a paper copy of the application form, can I get one sent to me?
A: Yes, although we’d prefer to receive application forms on-line, you can download a copy and send it back by post or you can contact us for a paper application form. Contact us either by email on enquiry@stwatergraduates.co.uk stating your full name and postal address phone us on 01635 584142 to receive a copy.

Q. Do Severn Trent Water run a placement scheme?
A. Yes we take on a number of undergraduate students every year for sandwich years across a variety of disciplines. These placements usually run for 48 weeks in a year beginning in July through to September. For more information please visit our website at www.stwater.co.uk, clicking on working with us. To apply for a placement please send your cv and a covering letter to graduaterecruitment@stwater.co.uk.