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Graduate opportunities at Southern Water

Becoming a Southern Water graduate will give you the tools, training and support to make a real difference – for our communities and the environment. From day one, you’ll work on projects that matter and start building a career that helps create a better tomorrow.

Start your application here
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Roles and programmes – start your story today!

We offer a range of graduate roles that help you build a meaningful career while making a real difference to the environment and the communities we serve. Alongside our permanent roles, we also offer two year graduate management and development programmes. They provide hands on experience, professional development and the chance to learn from industry experts.

We may have more graduate roles throughout the year. If you don’t see the right role, ’introduce yourself’ to us – we’d love to hear from you. 

Below are examples of the areas you can get involved in as part of our graduate programmes.

Play Roles and programmes – start your story today! Video

Our Digital Graduate Development Programme is designed to help you build real skills and experience across the world of digital technology. You’ll play a part in improving how we use data, strengthen our cyber security, support our platforms, and keep our everyday tech running smoothly.

You can choose to specialise in a specific area or follow a general pathway to explore different digital teams before deciding where you want to focus.

Roles available:

  • Software Engineer Graduate
  • Platform Engineer Graduate
  • Service Desk Graduate
  • Cyber Security Graduate
  • Data Scientist Graduate
  • Data Engineer Graduate
  • Data Governance Graduate
  • Digital Graduate 

Our Operational Graduate Programme prepares you to become a future leader in our frontline water and wastewater services. You’ll help deliver essential services for our communities, improve performance, support customers, and learn how we manage and look after our assets.

Roles available:

  • Graduate Operational Management Trainee – Water
  • Graduate Operational Management Trainee – Wastewater
  • Asset Manager Graduate Development Programme – Water
  • Asset Manager Graduate Development Programme – Wastewater

Our Engineering and Project Management Graduate Programme helps you build strong technical and project delivery skills. You’ll support major infrastructure upgrades, environmental improvements, and investment programmes, while developing a solid foundation in engineering, sustainability, and innovation.

Roles available:

Engineering Roles:

  • Mechanical Engineering Graduate
  • Electrical / EICA Engineering Graduate
  • Civil Engineering Graduate
  • Environmental Engineering / Environmental Advisor Graduate
  • Ecology Graduate

Project Management Roles:

  • Project Management Graduate

Apply to become a Southern Water graduate

Here’s a step-by-step guide to becoming a Southern Water graduate.

1

Apply online

Apply via the link below – Tell us why you're the perfect fit for our graduate programme.

Start your application here
2

Online assessment

Once we've reviewed your application, we'll invite you to complete an online assessment to show your skills and reasoning. 

3

Assessment centre

If successful, you'll be invited to meet previous graduates and managers from across the business as well as completing a range of activities throughout the day. It's your chance to ask us any questions.

4

Welcome on board!

Congratulations – you’ve made it! If successful, we’ll call you with an offer and guide you through the next steps, including contracts, checks and everything you need to get ready for your first day.

What we offer

With us, you’ll be supported to grow in confidence, in experience and in ability. You’ll also enjoy some fantastic benefits which we have listed below:

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Relocation support

If you’re moving to take up your role, we offer relocation support to help make the transition as smooth as possible. This may include financial assistance and guidance to help you settle into your new location so you can focus on starting your career with confidence.

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Transport allowance

For roles where driving is essential, we provide support towards driving lessons and tests, plus business mileage reimbursement so you’re not out of pocket.

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24/7 Virtual GP and Employee Assistance Programme (EAP)

Enjoy peace of mind with 24/7 access to a Virtual GP and Employee Assistance Programme, providing confidential support for mental health, wellbeing, financial advice and everyday life challenges.

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Competitive pension

It’s never too early to think about your future. Our pension scheme allows you to contribute between 6% and 11%, with generous employer contributions to help you start building long‑term financial security from day one.

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Community and social impact

Make a positive difference with two paid volunteering days each year, and feel part of a supportive community through our employee networks, including Be You, Working Parents and Neurodiversity.

What we offer

With us, you’ll be supported to grow in confidence, in experience and in ability. You’ll also enjoy some fantastic benefits which we have listed below:

An illustrated outline of a graph and arrow pointing upwards and towards the right

Relocation support

If you’re moving to take up your role, we offer relocation support to help make the transition as smooth as possible. This may include financial assistance and guidance to help you settle into your new location so you can focus on starting your career with confidence.

An illustrated outline of a laptop

Transport allowance

For roles where driving is essential, we provide support towards driving lessons and tests, plus business mileage reimbursement so you’re not out of pocket.

An illustrated outline of a person and a tick symbol

24/7 Virtual GP and Employee Assistance Programme (EAP)

Enjoy peace of mind with 24/7 access to a Virtual GP and Employee Assistance Programme, providing confidential support for mental health, wellbeing, financial advice and everyday life challenges.

An illustrated outline of a tick symbol hovering over a hand

Competitive pension

It’s never too early to think about your future. Our pension scheme allows you to contribute between 6% and 11%, with generous employer contributions to help you start building long‑term financial security from day one.

An illustrated outline of a heart shape hovering over an open hand

Community and social impact

Make a positive difference with two paid volunteering days each year, and feel part of a supportive community through our employee networks, including Be You, Working Parents and Neurodiversity.

Your questions answered…

Our programmes start in September 2026 and run for two years on a fixed-term contract.

You’ll need a 2:2 degree or above, plus a full UK driving licence, or willingness to learn (support may be available), access to a car and the ability to travel across regions (role dependant). The starting salary is £32,913 per year, plus benefits.

You’ll have tailored development plans, mentoring and chances to gain industry-recognised certifications.

Graduate role: A permanent position in a specific team with opportunities to develop your career over time. 

Graduate scheme: A 2–3 year programme with structured rotations, formal training, mentoring and clear progression milestones. 

 
Yes, as long as you’ll finish your course before the role starts. These roles are full-time, so check the start date on the job advert and make sure it fits your timeline and that your studies will have finished. You’ll have access to structured training, mentoring and development opportunities to help you succeed and grow.

Paige - Graduate

“During my first year, I would like to gain an in-depth understanding of the water treatment process and industry”

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Aga - Graduate

”Being able to explore different departments can really help focus where your interest lie”

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Alex - Graduate

”I will gain a lot of experience in different areas of the company, and will keep learning the whole time”

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Amy - Graduate

“I was excited about working with like-minded people who are passionate about the environment and enjoy learning”

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Fin - Graduate

“I was excited to finally get started with my professional career in an area I am really passionate about”

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Franklyn - Graduate

“I most enjoyed meeting so many new people and getting stuck in trying to understand what everyone within the team does”

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Jacob - Graduate

“It’s been inspiring to see first-hand the incredible work Southern Water is doing for both the environment and the community”

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May - Graduate

“The idea of using my skills and experience to help drive change in a business really appealed to me”

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Top tips for your CV

  • Keep it concise

    Use one to two pages, clear structure and bullet points instead of long paragraphs.

  • Sell yourself

    Highlight your previous responsibilities, achievements and teamwork using action verbs and the CAR (Context, Action, Result) method.

  • Divide your CV into sections

    Include your education, previous work experience and your skills and interests. Your most recent work and achievements should go first. 

  • Be clear

    Is your CV easy to scan? Avoid jargon, keep bullets focused and use tense and font consistently.

  • Tailor every CV

    Match your skills and previous experience to the role, use relevant examples and remove unnecessary details.

Top tips for interviews

  • Know the basics

    Confirm interview details, format and anything you may need. Be ready to discuss your CV. 

  • Do your research

    Understand our purpose, values and goals.

  • Prepare examples

    Use the STAR (Situation, Task, Action, Result) method to answer competency-based questions. Provide examples of teamwork and problem‑solving.

  • Expect common questions

    Why us? We may also ask you about your strengths and weaknesses, and how you work as a team. 

  • Be interview ready

    Test your tech if you're interviewing online, choose a quiet space, dress professionally and be yourself.