Pictured: Denise McGlynn, Client Manager, Energy & Utility Skills, Matt Heaton, Head of Training Delivery, Phil Beach CBE, CEO, Energy & Utility Skills, Grant Batty, Water Services Director
United Utilities has become the first water company to extend the Competent Operator Scheme beyond water treatment works to include water networks, setting a benchmark for workforce competency and operational excellence.
The Competent Operator Scheme was established to ensure operational competence in the water sector, with a focus on workforce capability, quality assurance, and drinking water safety. Originally developed in response to the Water Act 2003, it was created through a collaboration between Water Companies, the Drinking Water Inspectorate (DWI), Water UK, and Energy & Utility Skills to define and maintain consistent standards across the sector. The scheme underwent a review and relaunch in 2016.
Since 2018, United Utilities has delivered the Competent Operator Scheme for its water treatment employees and has recently gone further by becoming the first to extend the Scheme to water networks.
This ensures that employees now working on water networks have the necessary skills and competence to restore supply, detect leakages, and carry out other essential operational tasks efficiently and safely. By implementing the Competent Operator Scheme across its network teams, United Utilities is further securing its service reliability and strengthening its commitment to water quality and security.
Matt Heaton, Head of Training at United Utilities, emphasised the significance of this achievement:
“This is fantastic news and has been well received by all here at United Utilities, further demonstrating our commitment to the competence of our colleagues in front-line technical roles. To be the first and only water company to have explored expanding our Competent Operator Scheme and being successful in doing so really feels like a huge achievement. I’m sure others will look to follow suit.”
Employees have also provided positive feedback about the scheme as it encourages continuous learning and development and on the job coaching. In addition, the company regularly conducts training needs analysis to identify skill gaps and creates bespoke training programmes to address them. This ensures employees remain highly skilled, confident, and adaptable in their roles.
United Utilities’ approach to workforce development and competency is exemplary, setting a high standard for other companies to follow. This initiative not only ensures regulatory compliance but also enhances the skills of their workforce and improves the service they provide for customers.
