National Apprenticeship Week – Becca Gillam
10 February 2022
This week, it’s National Apprenticeship Week, an annual week-long celebration of apprenticeships. Here at Dŵr Cymru Welsh Water, each year we have several exciting opportunities across our water, wastewater, and support services teams.
As an apprentice, you’ll have the chance to grow your career from day one through on-the-job experience and a competitive wage.
To celebrate National Apprenticeship Week, we’re giving you a sneak peek into the lives of some of our apprentices that are helping to keep three million people healthy each day with clean, safe, drinking water.
Meet Becca
I’m Becca Gillam, I’m 28 years old and I’m a Wastewater Process Operator.
What attracted you to apply for the apprentice programme?
I left college and went straight into a job as a vet nurse. It was something I thought I’d always wanted to do, but there was always something in the back of my mind telling me I wasn’t truly happy. I stayed in that job for three years before I decided to take the plunge and retrain. I wanted something with more progression and after a chat with a friend who was on the apprenticeship scheme at Dŵr Cymru Welsh Water, I knew this was the job for me. I submitted my application process and kept my fingers crossed!
I was at work when I was offered the job, and I couldn’t believe it – it was like a dream come true.
I started my apprenticeship in January 2021. On my first day I had a site induction and then got paired up with my buddy who I would shadow for the first six months. I worked alongside them to learn the basics of the role, and I honestly haven’t stopped learning since!
What does an average day in your role look like?
As a process operator, my role is to manage a system of machines that transfer and treat wastewater. My tasks include checking all the machinery onsite is working correctly, and sampling effluent to ensure the site is compliant. If there is an issue, we need to investigate to see if there is something we can do to fix it. One of the machines we monitor compacts sludge into a small cake which is taken away in skips to be processed into energy and fertiliser.
It’s not the most glamorous job, but I love that no two days are the same and that there’s constantly new problems to solve.
My first week was quite overwhelming, and I remember thinking “what have I done!” but after a few weeks, I started to pick things up and settled into the team really well. I’m currently based in Chester and although I’m the only female on the team, I don’t let that stop me from pursuing my passion. My team are really supportive and are always happy to help if I have any questions.
What have you enjoyed most about the apprentice programme?
I love that no two days are the same. Every day when I arrive at work there is a new problem to solve and so I’m constantly learning. I’ve loved learning about a new industry and starting a career in something I previously had no knowledge or experience in. I’ve also enjoying working alongside experienced teammates who have taught me the skills I need to succeed in the role.
Is there an area of the business that you want to learn more about?
In the future I would like to learn more about trade effluent sampling. Anything that isn’t domestic sewage (toilet, bath or hand wash waste) or rainwater is classified as trade effluent. Trade effluent can damage our sewers, sewage treatment processes and the water courses that we discharge to, and that side of the business really interests me!
What would you say to anyone thinking about applying for the programme?
I made the bold decision to change careers in my late twenties and it was the best decision I ever made. I’ve been able to learn something new and get paid at the same time. If something interests you, then apply for it. Be completely yourself through the application process and think of a question to ask to stump the interviewers! It may take time to find your place and goals but once you're in you have time.
To start your career with us, head on over to our website to see the available roles.