The Institute of Water President’s Dinner and Awards 2023, held on 13 September, continued its tradition of recognising outstanding contributors within the water industry. During the event, Energy & Utility Skills had the honour of bestowing four prestigious awards to individuals and organisations that exemplify the promotion of skills, diversity, and inclusion within the sector.
Steve Barrett, Director of Membership and Strategic Engagement at Energy & Utility Skills, personally presented these awards to the esteemed recipients whose names are listed below.
Steve commented, “It has been both a privilege and a pleasure to present the Energy & Utility Skills awards to this year’s deserving nominees. In this highly competitive year, I extend my congratulations to all the winners. Their unwavering dedication to ensuring a safe, skilled, and sustainable workforce greatly contributes to the essential operations of the water industry.”
Water Industry Skills Employer of the Year – United Utilities
The Water Industry Skills Employer of the Year was awarded to United Utilities, in recognition of their commitment and dedication to enhancing the competence of their workforce, encompassing both technical expertise and broader customer service functions. United Utilities has ensured accessibility for its entire workforce by providing online and remote training delivery options and all online training is also accessible for neurodiverse colleagues and individuals with visual or hearing impairments.
Their dedication to training and development is evident, with each colleague completing an average of 23 hours of training in 2022–23.
Water Industry Training Organisation of the Year – Groundforce Training
The Water Industry Training Organisation of the Year was awarded to Groundforce Training. Their dedication to delivering specialised safety training to the water industry has been truly exceptional. In the past year alone, Groundforce Training has achieved an astounding 29% increase in the number of certified water industry professionals, surpassing a remarkable 6,000 individuals. Furthermore, their invaluable collaboration with the water sector to develop a range of specialised courses demonstrates their commitment to advancing safety and expertise within the industry.
Water Industry Skills Champion – Scott McCrae
The Water Industry Skills Champion of the Year was awarded to Scott McCrae, of McCrae Training. Scott’s career spanning three decades within the water sector is a testament to his unwavering commitment to excellence and professional development. His remarkable journey, beginning as an apprentice and culminating in his role as Business Manager, underscores his steadfast dedication and exceptional leadership. McCrae Training’s consecutive awards for the Water Industry Training Organisation of the Year in 2018 and 2019 highlight their outstanding dedication and unwavering commitment to delivering top-tier training of immense value to the water industry.
Outstanding Commitment to Diversity & Inclusion in the Water Industry – Anglian Water
The Water Industry’s Outstanding Commitment to Diversity & Inclusion award was presented to Anglian Water in recognition of their dedication to creating an inclusive workplace that mirrors their commitment to the region they serve. Anglian Water has made significant strides in enhancing Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) within its workforce through extensive training and impactful initiatives, with a particular focus on improving workforce ethnicity.