Summary
Ofwat are delighted to launch our first-degree apprenticeships in 2024. Our apprenticeship programme will offer a truly versatile role, great insights into how an economic regulator works with excellent training enabling you to create a solid foundation for your career as an economist.
Wage
£25,301 a year
Excellent employer pension contributions 25 days’ annual leave (increasing to 30 with each year of service) plus bank holidays and an extra 2.5 days of privilege leave
Training course
Professional economist (integrated degree) (level 6)
Hours
This post is full-time (37 hours per week), flexible working. Monday - Friday. Total hours per week: 37
37 hours a week
Possible start date
Monday 8 September
Duration
5 years
Positions available
2
Work
As an apprentice, you’ll work at a company and get hands-on experience. You’ll gain new skills and work alongside experienced staff.
What you’ll do at work
With the opportunity to support work in a range of areas, you’ll develop a broad skillset, important to many roles in the world of economic regulation. You’ll be part of a multi-disciplinary team and apply the principles of economics (what you are learning on your apprenticeship) in the real world. The work we do is complex and has direct implications for customers and the environment. You’ll be given the opportunity to demonstrate your potential from the outset and your passion for economics will see you relish the opportunity.
You will be supported throughout your program by your people leader, mentor/ buddy, Early Careers partner and university. On your 5-year journey you will learn the technical skills on the job, the theory at university and the soft skills with regular internal training sessions throughout the year with your cohort.
You’ll also have the opportunity to work with other apprentices and colleagues and early career professionals across the regulatory industry.
We have a virtual insights evening on the 19th February 2025 for you to find out more about this opportunity at Ofwat and a chance to meet some of the team! Email earlycareers@ofwat.gov.uk for your invite.
Where you’ll work
Centre City House
7 Hill Street
Birmingham
West Midlands
B5 4UA
Training
An apprenticeship includes regular training with a college or other training organisation. At least 20% of your working hours will be spent training or studying.
College or training organisation
THE UNIVERSITY OF KENT
Your training course
Professional economist (integrated degree) (level 6)
Equal to degree
Course contents
* Applied economic and data analysis: Rigorously analyse complex information and data, drawing on economics knowledge and applying it to questions of interest for the organisation, while being aware of the limitations of economic analysis and the available data. Demonstrate an excellent working knowledge of and effectively use appropriate statistical and spreadsheet software to deliver this analysis. Approach analysis as a practical problem solver: choose the appropriate approach from a range of economic and other analytical tools, use judgement where data is incomplete, consider the context, degree of uncertainty, time pressures, and the question that needs answering. Ensure analysis has impact: explain what is happening and why it matters, and propose solutions.
* Communication: Clearly communicate economic concepts, analysis or advice, risks and uncertainty. Do this in both written and oral forms, to both specialists and non-specialists. Communicate with clarity and conciseness, tailoring communication to the audience to have the maximum impact. Demonstrate an ability to listen to, interpret and understand stakeholders’ needs, to ensure that economic analysis is answering a question that will address those needs.
* Synthesise evidence: Use personal judgement in collating evidence from a wide range of sources, evaluating the relevance, quality and validity of research, and demonstrate an ability to distil this evidence so that it answers the question at hand.
* Quality Assurance: Review and quality assure the analysis of others to ensure it is of high quality. Provide appropriate challenge to methods and results, and continually evaluate the quality of analysis to ensure that the organisation is producing robust economic analysis which can stand up to scrutiny.
* Planning and Prioritisation: Work to tight deadlines and respond to changing priorities. Effectively plan and prioritise time and coordinate the input of others in order to meet deadlines, across multiple projects.
* Team Working & Collaboration: Work effectively in teams and with others, maintaining effective, professional working relationship both internally and externally across organisations.
Your training plan
You will complete your studies with the University of Kent – selected to deliver the programme because of the strength of their economics courses and the support they offer to apprentices throughout your time on programme.
You will study with Kent university through a hybrid approach, you will have lecturers online supplemented with in person blocks with your fellow cohort at Kent University. Ofwat will arrange and fund your accommodation and travel to Kent university for these visits. Your studies will be brought to life and used in practice with on the job learning at Ofwat.
On successful completion, apprentices will gain the following qualifications:
* Level 6 Economics Degree Apprenticeship
* BSc (Hons) Economics
And 5 years' experience working in the Civil Service - putting you in a brilliant position to progress in your career.
Requirements
Essential qualifications
A Level or equivalent in:
* Any (grade BBB)
Let the company know about other relevant qualifications and industry experience you have. They can adjust the apprenticeship to reflect what you already know.
Skills
* Communication skills
* Attention to detail
* Organisation skills
* Problem solving skills
* Analytical skills
* Embodies all our values-SAILOR
* Interested in Economics
* Listening Skills
* Motivation for Apprenticeship
Other requirements
Throughout the selection process, we will be looking for evidence of the skills listed and our SAILOR values. (Support, Ambition, Integrity, Learning, Ownership, Respect)