Almost 10,000 apply for engineering apprenticeships as demand for built environment skills grows

Almost 10,000 people applied for just 145 apprenticeship positions at Thames Water this year, highlighting strong demand for entry-level routes into engineering and infrastructure careers.

The water company received 9,908 applications for its 2026 apprenticeship programme, with successful candidates taking up roles across engineering, project management, data, repair and maintenance, laboratory science and other technical disciplines.

The figures provide a snapshot of the potential appetite for careers that combine practical experience with formal qualifications – at a time when employers across the built environment are facing the challenge of developing the next generation of skilled professionals.

Among the apprenticeship opportunities offered by Thames Water are routes into civil engineering, chemical engineering, quantity surveying and project management, as well as technical roles supporting the maintenance and development of water infrastructure.

The company says its apprenticeship programme has attracted its highest number of applications to date. Successful apprentices receive a salary while studying towards recognised qualifications and are guaranteed employment with Thames Water after completing their programme.

The figures come amid continued efforts across the construction and engineering sectors to attract new entrants and address skills gaps.

Apprenticeships offer an alternative to the traditional university route, allowing people to gain professional qualifications while developing practical experience in the workplace.

Research commissioned by Thames Water found that 75% of 16–25-year-olds surveyed in London and the Thames Valley said apprenticeships were more beneficial than university. The research also found that 84% wanted a career that could help the environment.

The research involved 2,000 people aged 16–25 across London, Oxfordshire, Wiltshire, Berkshire, Surrey and Buckinghamshire, so the findings should not be taken as representative of young people across the UK.

Nevertheless, the scale of applications for Thames Water's programme suggests that where employers provide clear entry routes into technical careers, competition for places can be high.

Thames Water is undertaking a significant programme of investment in its infrastructure, creating demand for engineers and other built-environment professionals.

The company says it is investing more than £20bn over five years to upgrade its network, while its workforce increased by 12% in the year to March 2026.

For the built environment, the need to attract and develop new talent extends well beyond water infrastructure. Civil engineering, construction, surveying, building services and other technical professions all rely on a pipeline of people entering the industry and developing their skills.

Thames Water's apprenticeship figures therefore raise a broader question for employers: is the challenge finding people interested in engineering, or creating enough opportunities for them to get started?

With almost 10,000 applications for 145 positions at one major infrastructure employer, there appears to be significant interest in earn-while-you-learn routes into engineering and technical careers.

Image credit | Kynesher, iStock