Dŵr Cymru Welsh Water is first in the sector to achieve the BCS, Chartered Institute for IT, gold award for its commitment to developing and growing technology skills within the organisation.
As the only utility company with Approved Organisational status with BCS, Welsh Water has made a significant investment into technology over the past five years, with a planned 40% increase for the next investment period. A key part of this is a commitment to developing and growing its IT & Cyber Security capabilities through developing its staff.
Welsh Water adopts industry recognised standards and recognises the importance of advancing technology whilst rewarding the professionalism of its IT & Cyber Security teams and accelerating career paths. With an ITS team of circa 220 people, the company prides itself as being an employer of choice for all IT & Cyber Security professionals.
Nial Grimes, Head of Strategy & Innovation at Welsh Water said:
“Technology is a fundamental part of delivering our services as well as helping us to rise to the challenges we face as a company, including climate change & Cyber Security threats. Attracting and retaining the talent we need is core to the IT & Cyber Security Strategy we are delivering, and the BCS award reflects our commitment to doing just that.”
The not-for-profit company has also been instrumental in the creation of Cyber College Cymru, an innovative skills programme that is helping address the cyber security gap in Wales. The programme is delivered through colleges in South-East Wales including, Bridgend College, Coleg Gwent, Cardiff & Vale and The College, Merthyr Tydfil. This academic year along with its industry partner, Dwr Cymru will be helping over 160 higher education students prepare to meet the cyber challenges of the future through an IT career.
Rhian Parry, SAP Centre of Excellence Manager at Welsh Water said:
“Welsh Water is a great place to work as a woman in tech, I’ve seen firsthand how committed the company is to developing its IT staff and keeping on top of the latest tech and industry advances to help us meet challenges. Since joining Welsh Water 29 years ago and then the IT team in 2012, my career has gone from strength to strength where I’m now leading the SAP team because of the skills development and opportunities that have come my way.”
Michael Warman, Business Analyst at Welsh Water said:
“I’ve used my BCS membership to support my professional development: having been supported by Welsh Water to achieve the international Diploma in Business Analysis, to maintain my knowledge of the evolving IT landscape I regularly attend the free BCS event, which I’ve also used to achieve and maintain my professional registrations, I also volunteer for the BCS whose mission is to ‘Make IT good for society’, for this and the future generations.”
The BCS gold award is an independent validation of the IT team’s competence and skill demonstrates the capabilities and professionalism of the technical and digital workforce.
