Thames Water has provided more than £500,000 in apprenticeship funding to help small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs) across London deliver fully funded apprenticeships, supporting economic growth and helping build the skills needed to deliver essential services.
The funding, shared through the apprenticeship levy, has already supported over 100 Londoners to access apprenticeship training with their SME employers, building in-demand skills in sectors such as adult social care and early years education.
To achieve this milestone, the company has worked in partnership with the innovative charity Workwhile, which connects large employers with SMEs needing support to fund apprenticeships.
The initiative forms part of Thames Water’s wider commitment to developing skills and supporting the communities it serves, including building the skilled workforce needed for the future.
Anna Ambrose, Chief Executive Officer at Workwhile, said: “We’re hugely grateful to Thames Water for sharing their unspent funds as one of our levy donor partners, and especially for their commitment to supporting apprenticeships in sectors which are vital for our society and economy yet often overlooked. Their contribution is helping the SMEs we support to build the skills they need, and enabling Londoners to progress into and in work. It’s a great example of an outward looking company stepping up to help us create more good quality, accessible and inclusive work opportunities for the communities who need it most.” Gosia Dworska, Head of Emerging Talent and Skills at Thames Water, said: “As a business, we are proud to have gifted over £500,000 of unspent Growth and Skills Levy funding to support London SMEs in offering fully-funded apprenticeships. . As a large employer, we recognise the influence we have to drive positive change and make a meaningful contribution to society. It’s very encouraging to see the powerful impact these opportunities are already having on individuals and the communities we serve, and we look forward to seeing how this impact continues to grow in the future.” Hasnain Naeem, Finance & HR manager at Open World 2 – an SME in the adult social care sector who have received levy funds from Thames Water – said: “The fully funded apprenticeships have had a significant positive impact on our business. The levy transfer has enabled us to invest in developing our team without the financial barriers that often prevent SMEs from accessing high-quality training. Our apprentices have brought new skills, fresh perspectives, and added capacity to the business, helping us strengthen our operations and plan for sustainable growth. Additionally, it has allowed us to continue with our expansion plans as an organisation, ensuring we can recruit new staff.”