Careers Spotlight: The Water Industry

43,700 recruits are needed in the water industry by 2030. The water sector is much larger than just the water companies in the UK, with framework contractors, contracted providers, and others, such as plumbers (98,000) working on private potable water systems. With an annual turnover of £11bn each year and with 67 million citizens and most industry dependent on it, the water industry is critical to the UK economy.

Why work in Water?

A career in the growing water industry presents an opportunity to earn money while protecting the environment in a way that is vital for the health and wellbeing of the population. We have a highly successful water industry, built on decades of experience. 

Roles and opportunities

The water industry can provide you with a stable, long-term career which enables you to transfer and develop your skills into a wide range of roles:

• Water Quality Scientist

• Water Network Inspector

• Water Metering Surveyor

• Water Technician

• Field Engineer

• Laboratory Sampler

• Leakage Technical Assistant

• Treatment Works Controller

• Network Engineer

The Future of Water

Water and wastewater services are vital to society. The industry is striving to find ways to be increasingly sustainable in how those services are delivered, with ambitions for renewable energy generation and carbon reduction, environmental performance and safeguarding our water resource for future generations.

• Reusing wastewater to support a circular economy

• Achieving net zero carbon emissions by 2030

• Reducing the impact of plastic on the environment

If you want to learn more about working in the charitable sector click on the links below

Boosting your CV

So what is a CV?  CV is short for Curriculum Vitae and is a short document which summarises your unique skills, character, experience and achievements.  

For students it can feel difficult to know what to write as you haven't had the time to build up the experience that employers always seem to want.

In this section we will look at ways of making your CV stand out for future employers so you can get that dream job.  So far we have looked at after school clubs and voluntary work.  This month we consider work experience placements.

Consider work experience placements:

The next logical step up from volunteering is to look for work experience placements. Although these can be hard to come by, they will give you the chance to experience what it’s like being involved in the day-to-day running of a business.  Our year 10 students are just starting preparation for their work experience week in July and our 6th form students have work experience opportunities throughout the year.  

Some work experience placements are paid and some aren’t, but you should aim to make a good impression all the same. In some cases, work experience placements can lead to full-time or part-time job offers.  

We recommend that you take every opportunity you can to help out during your placement, this way you’ll have lots of experience and activities to talk about when it comes to updating your CV. You’ll also have a valuable reference that you can use when applying for full or part-time jobs.

Unifrog

In keeping with our commitment to provide students with outstanding careers education information, advice and guidance (CEIAG) and tailored support when choosing their next step after school. We have invested in an online application called Unifrog; an award-winning, online careers platform. All students in Years 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12 and 13 now have access to this excellent website.

The Unifrog platform is designed to support learners in making the most informed decisions about their futures and has a range of tools that are suitable for all year groups. Each student has their own personal account that provides a wide range of information related to their interests and aspirations.  Key features of the platform include:

Exploring Pathways – personality quizzes, career and subject profiles, MOOCs and webinars

Recording – self-reflection about extracurricular activities and key employability skills

Opportunities – search tools showing live vacancies/courses/placements for apprenticeships, universities (in the UK and abroad), FE, virtual work experience and much more

Applications – tools to help students build applications for a range of pathways (e.g., CVs, Personal Statements, Common App Essays)

All students have access to the platform, which is unique to them. They login to Unifrog using their email address and password and they can do so from any computer, tablet or smartphone. We would encourage all students to use the platform at home too, so parent/carers can support their child through the process of deciding their next step

Help for Parents and Carers

When it comes to education and careers, parents and carers have a large influence on a students choices. As an adult you are expected to have all the answers, but in a constantly evolving world it can be a struggle to keep up with the latest options out there.  In this section we will highlight resources that will help keep you up to date with careers and the choices available to young people.

Tools like the Talking Futures website and CPD modules for schools are game-changers, equipping parents with practical strategies to have informed, constructive conversations about careers. Ultimately, it’s about starting early, encouraging exploration, and focusing on transferable skills like problem-solving and adaptability—qualities that prepare young people for any future. Parents don’t need all the answers; they just need to be a supportive guide as their children navigate their options. 

Start Career Conversations Early 

Begin talking about careers as early as possible. Discuss their interests, strengths, and what excites them. Early engagement builds confidence and helps children explore possibilities without pressure. 

Encourage Exploration 

Support your child in trying out different experiences like weekend or summer jobs, internships, volunteering, or job shadowing. These opportunities provide hands-on insights into what they enjoy—or don’t—and help them develop valuable transferable skills like problem-solving and adaptability. 

Focus on Skills, Not Just Jobs 

Talk about the skills your child can develop, such as communication, teamwork, and critical thinking, rather than pushing them toward specific careers. These skills are essential across industries and prepare them for a changing job market. 

Be Open-Minded About Modern Pathways 

Stay informed about emerging qualifications like T Levels or apprenticeships and careers in fields like digital technology or AI. If you feel unprepared, resources like the Talking Futures website can help you understand these options better. 

Link School Learning to Real Life 

Ask your child how what they’re learning in school connects to real-world careers. This can be anything from how Maths calculations are useful for building/construction to the way science and technology are use in healthcare or engineering careers.  This helps them see the relevance of their education and sparks curiosity about future possibilities. 

Take Advantage of School Resources 

Engage with career fairs, workshops, or school-organized events where professionals speak about their industries. If your school offers career-related homework or projects, use these as opportunities to have meaningful discussions at home about your child’s interests and aspirations. 

Help Them Think About Lifestyle Choices 

Encourage your child to consider how their career might align with their desired lifestyle—whether they want to live in a big city, travel frequently, or stay close to home. Lifestyle preferences can shape career decisions in meaningful ways. 

Talking Futures have a website and lots of resources to help parents talk about careers, click on the image below to find out more

Careers in Hertfordshire: The Environment

What are Green and Environmental Careers?

In June 2019, the UK became the first major country to legislate for a Net Zero target for carbon emissions by 2050. The backdrop to this is growing recognition of the implications of climate change and the need to respond urgently.

Green careers are those jobs that have a focus on either reducing carbon emissions, restoring nature or making similar environmental improvements. These jobs have a direct, positive impact on the planet.

Find out about different careers in the Environment/Green sector by watching our HOP into Green Careers video and hear from some of our local residents – Tommie Eaton from @Bambuu Brush, Chie Kamayama from BRE and Cameron Stewart from Green Energy UK.

 What do we mean by net-zero?

This is explained by carbon neutrality and the looking to achieve a state of net-zero carbon dioxide emissions. This can be achieved by balancing emissions of carbon dioxide with its removal or by eliminating emissions from society.

 Why are carbon emission harmful to our planet?

Our carbon footprint has a negative impact on the environment in multiple ways: It is the main cause of human-induced climate change, it contributes to urban air pollution, it leads to toxic acid rain, it adds to coastal and ocean acidification, and it worsens the melting of glaciers and polar ice.

Jobs in green industries

 The environmental sector is very broad and it's likely to become even larger and more diverse in the future. Jobs in the green sector allow you to focus on environmental concerns and encourage sustainability and conservation. Within the environmental sector you could be looking at a wide range of occupations which might include:

• Energy - Professionals in this industry focus on creating, installing and funding alternative energy sources like solar and wind power

• Agriculture - Green careers in agriculture involve protecting the environment and food sources by developing safe, eco-friendly techniques and resources

• Construction and Manufacturing - Professionals in this industry may determine environmentally friendly processes and materials for manufacturing products and building structures

• Transportation - including low or zero emission vehicles, aviation and maritime, rail, public transport and walking or cycling

• Natural resources – including nature restoration, tree planting and decarbonising agriculture, waste management and recycling

• Policy - Professionals who influence environmental policy and regulation often work in government agencies or nonprofits, where they may create or take part in initiatives to affect change

• Research - Environmental science and engineering roles involve conducting research, completing studies and developing green processes for various industries

• Consultants and business partners - Business professionals can pursue environmental consulting to help companies become more sustainable by evaluating, changing and monitoring their operations.

Regionally, career opportunities in the green and environment sector vary. For example in North-West England, new jobs focus on increasing wind capacity while the South East’s green jobs will mostly be in the financial, IT or legal industries.

For more information please go to www.hopinto.co.uk/ 

Current Opportunities

This month we have opportunities to learn about the careers available in medicine and dentistry as well as details of apprenticeships at Airbus and details of the Generation Hertsmere careers fair.

Airbus Apprenticeships

Are you ready to build a career that is literally out of this world? Applications for Level 2 and Level 3 Apprenticeship programmes at Airbus Defence and Space are open, providing school and college leavers the perfect way to help their careers take off and the unique chance to contribute to missions that define our future.

Apprentices at Airbus are supported through an education programme, and are paid at the same time. With starting salaries from £16,800 to £20,681, it’s the perfect way to get qualified and get paid. Successful school leaver applicants will work towards level 2 or 3 qualifications, such as NVQs, City & Guild, HNCs and HNDs.
 

Why Choose an Airbus Apprenticeship?

At Airbus, we don't just build aircraft—we build satellites, secure communication systems, and critical defence infrastructure. As an apprentice in Stevenage, you’ll be hands-on with real projects from day one, mentored by world-class engineers and technicians.

• Level 2 Apprenticeships (Focus: Foundational Skills): This is your entry point, ideal for those leaving school or looking for practical, entry-level experience. You’ll gain core knowledge and essential technical skills, building a strong foundation in manufacturing, assembly, and maintenance that is transferable across the industry.

• Level 3 Apprenticeships (Focus: Technical Expertise): Designed for motivated school leavers (typically post-GCSE/equivalent) or Level 2 graduates. You'll dive deep into specific technical disciplines, leading towards roles such as Engineering Technician, Manufacturing Specialist, or a specific systems role within our Defence or Space divisions.
   

Applications are open now for the Airbus Apprenticeship Programme - applications should be made as soon as possible to avoid disappointment. If you want to find out more click on the link below

Airbus apprenticeships 

Getting into Medicince or Dentistry

One essential component of the medical and dental application that universities look for is effective medical/dental work experience. These invaluable first-hand insights into medicine and dentistry are vital for aspiring healthcare professionals, and we understand how challenging this can often be to find, which is where Medic Mentor and Dental Mentor come in.

Crafted in collaboration with Birmingham Universities Hospitals Trust, the Medical and Dental Virtual Work Experience Programmes provide a unique glimpse into the medical and dental fields. Participation is free and open to any UK student aged 14 and above who has attended one of our FREE virtual Get Into Conferences!

Our upcoming Get Into Medicine conferences are:

- Sunday 26th October from 9am - 1:30pm

- Sunday 16th November from 9am - 1:30pm

Register here: https://medicmentor.org/get-into_medicine_conference_signup/?utm_source=Sendgrid&utm_medium=Email&utm_campaign=23%2F10+Teacher+Camp

Our upcoming Get Into Dentistry conference is:

- Sunday 9th November from 9am - 1:30pm

Register here: https://dental-mentor.org/get-into-dentistry-conference-sign-up/?utm_source=Sendgrid&utm_medium=Email&utm_campaign=23%2F10+Teacher+Camp

The Get into Medicine or Get Into Dentistry Conference offers a comprehensive guide to navigating the medical or dental application journey. Students gain crucial insights into the medical/dental UCAS application process, including the new focus on extracurricular activities. During this conference, myself and our team of mentors and scholars will guide students through essential topics such as:

- Application Timelines

- How to Tactically Choose Medical/Dental Schools

- Personal Statements

- Medical/Dental School Interviews

- UCAT Entrance Exam, techniques and prep

- Medical Leadership and Awards Programmes

- Accessing Work Experience

- Accessing Scholarships

Students and parents can register for free here:

Medicine: https://medicmentor.org/get-into_medicine_conference_signup/?utm_source=Sendgrid&utm_medium=Email&utm_campaign=23%2F10+Teacher+Camp

Dentistry: https://dental-mentor.org/get-into-dentistry-conference-sign-up/?utm_source=Sendgrid&utm_medium=Email&utm_campaign=23%2F10+Teacher+Camp

Students must have a working camera and microphone for the session. Additionally, the presence of a parent or guardian is essential during these conferences, providing valuable insight and guidance to better support their success.

Our doctors, dentists and medical/dental students look forward to welcoming your students at the conference and they will join our network of successful students who attended these programmes over the last ten years: https://medicmentor.org/successful-student-journeys-reviews/

Thank you for your continued support in helping students gain admission to medical and dental schools.

Warm regards,

Dr (Prof) Dhakshana Sivayoganathan 

Generation Hertsmere

On 5th November the Careers and Enterprise Company will be running the Generation Hertsmere careers fair again.  We have been given a limited number of places and will be taking students from Year 10 and Year 12  during the day.  The careers fair is not just aimed at schools and if you would like to go it is open to families from 3:30.

For more details please see the poster below or search 'Genersation Hertsmere'