Great Sankey-based United Utilities has launched its 2026 intake and is offering more than 100 apprenticeship opportunities across a broad range of areas including operations, water quality, digital technologies to engineering and electrical.
The company is aiming to attract early-career talent from across the region.
Laura Spyrou, head of talent acquisition at United Utilities, said: “There are plenty of opportunities for those seeking a career with United Utilities.
“We want to bring in bright and ambitious talent from right across the region to join our organisation.
“This year we have widened our applications to more people across the business.
“Our schemes offer people the opportunity to learn new skills and build lifelong careers with us.”
The 2026 programme includes newly created roles such as trainee catchment officer and woodland officer.
United Utilities is also introducing a new skills‑based assessment system, using the online test provider Spotted Zebra, as part of its recruitment.
This platform includes a career-matching tool designed to help potential applicants identify suitable roles based on their strengths and work preferences.
To launch the campaign, the company hosted a webinar attended by 500 people, where current apprentices shared their experiences and talked about pathways into the business.
One of those apprentices, Bryce Ainsworth, said: “I applied to be an Apprentice Process Controller.
“I’d worked in other companies before, but I didn’t feel I was building a career, and that was affecting my outlook.
“United Utilities offered exceptional pay for apprentices, great benefits, and brilliant internal training.
“For many of us, work is where we spend most of our lives – so I applied knowing I’d be joining a great company with space to grow and develop.
“My advice would be to just apply!
“You’ll be joining a company with great benefits, in a robust industry, with the potential to take your career wherever you want it to go.”
Applications close on February 23, but the company advises early application as some roles may close sooner.
More information about the apprenticeship scheme can be found on the United Utilities website.