Frequently asked questions

We recruit into the following disciplines:

• Chemical Engineering
• Civil Engineering
• Electrical Engineering (Heavy Power and Instrumentation, Control & Automation)
• Mechanical Engineering
• Finance (CIMA)
• Regulatory Engineer

You can read more information about Thames Water in our 'About us' section:

Discover more about Thames Water

Our Graduate Development Programme is designed for graduates with little or no work experience.

Although we do not have an age limit for entry, you will find that if you have 18 months or more relevant works experience, the training and development may be a bit basic for your needs so the programme may not be right for you.

Yes, we welcome applications from those who have graduated in recent years.

• Engineering - relevant degree
• Finance - numerate degree

Yes of course. We are happy to receive applications from candidates who have disabilities.

Should you be successful please advise us of any special requirements that you may have.

Anticipated starting salaries are around:

£23,000 plus a £2,000 "Golden hello" as the joining bonus.

Other benefits include 26 days holiday, rising with service and a good contributory defined benefit pension scheme.

Of course there are many other sports and social benefits that go with working for a large company, along with opportunities to be involved in community projects and fundraising activities.

An interest free loan of up to £5,000 is also available.

Around September / October.

An exact date is confirmed nearer the time.

No. The numbers we recruit onto each programme (e.g. Finance, Mechanical Engineering etc.) change each year and sometimes we don't recruit onto certain programmes.

Also, the business can change significantly over the period of a year so we cannot hold places for the next year.

However, candidates are more than welcome to re-apply the following year.

Graduate trainee placements are predominantly in Reading, Swindon, London, and the surrounding Thames Valley area.

Graduates are expected to be geographically mobile whilst on the programme which includes moving to new areas for new placements and travelling during their placements.

Graduate trainees receive a comprehensive training plan when they join and all our graduate trainees will attend a development workshop as a group.

The workshops are a great opportunity to develop management skills in areas such as team building, presentation skills, project management, change management, and financial awareness to name just a few.

These workshops are also a great opportunity to get to know the graduate population better.

Graduates will also receive job-specific training and professional development training.

Yes, you are welcome to re-apply although we cannot guarantee you'll make it to the same stage as before as this will depend on the quality and quantity of other candidates applying.

You are also welcome to respond to adverts in the local and national press for non Graduate Programme positions.

No, we cannot accept CVs for the graduate programme as we need an application form in order to assess each candidate against the same criteria. Anyone submitting a CV will be asked to complete an application form.

Yes, travel costs will be reimbursed after the event.

Candidates must not book flights without checking with us first and standard class train fares only will be reimbursed.

Mileage will be reimbursed for those who use their cars at a rate which will just cover petrol.

Candidates must provide full receipts to be reimbursed.

Not normally although each part of the business will have its own working patterns which aren't always the traditional 9am-5pm business day.

Unfortunately we are only able to consider applications from candidates who are eligible to work in the UK without any restrictions.