South West Water Apprentice Shortlisted for National Award

A South West Water apprentice has been shortlisted for a national award during National Apprenticeship Week, which runs from 9th to 15th February.

Shortlisted for national award

Tom Howard, a second year apprentice at South West Water, has been named as a finalist for Apprentice of the Year in the 2026 Harper Adams Apprenticeship Awards.

Tom is currently completing a Level 6 apprenticeship at Harper Adams University, working towards a degree in Rural Enterprise and Land Management.

Combining study with real work

After finishing his A-levels, Tom wanted to continue studying while gaining hands-on experience in the field he hoped to work in. He discovered South West Water’s apprenticeship opportunities and felt the mix of office and field-based work suited him.

Tom joined the company’s Estates Team in 2024. His role involves helping the business support landowners and land managers when work needs to be carried out on private land.

Speaking about his experience, Tom said:
“I think the apprenticeship has been a really great thing for me because you’re doing the job whilst you’re studying about the subject. You’re able to put what you’re learning into practice straight away. It really helps with your understanding of the subject and my confidence has really developed since starting.”

Recognition and support

Reflecting on being shortlisted, Tom added:
“I’m really proud to have been shortlisted for Apprentice of the Year and grateful for the support and opportunities I’ve had at South West Water and at Harper Adams University.”

Jolyon Halford, Lead Estates Manager at South West Water and Tom’s manager, said:
“Tom has fully embraced both sides of his apprenticeship – excelling at Harper Adams and making a real impact within the South West Water Estates team. He’s able to perform strongly in his academic studies, demonstrating the discipline to balance his workload, studying and life effectively.

“Tom has really bought into his apprenticeship, consistently showing commitment, maturity, and a willingness to develop and learn. Being shortlisted for Apprentice of the Year is a fantastic achievement that reflects the esteem in which he is held by his peers, university staff and colleagues at South West Water.”

Encouraging others to consider apprenticeships

During National Apprenticeship Week, Tom said he would encourage others to explore similar routes into their chosen careers.

“I would definitely encourage people to see if there are apprenticeships available in the area they would like to go into. It’s a great way to learn about the career you want but you also work with other professionals seeing what they do.”

Wider commitment to apprentices

Last year, South West Water’s parent company Pennon was awarded Platinum membership of The 5% Club. This recognised its commitment to supporting apprentices and graduates, making it the only business in the UK water sector to achieve this status.

The 5% Club is made up of employers committed to combining work and education by offering graduate and apprentice programmes. Pennon received Platinum membership after achieving gold standard for three consecutive years and having 10 percent of its workforce on schemes such as apprenticeships, graduate programmes or degree placements.

📷Tom Howard