United Utilities recruits ex-military personnel to its emergency tanker team
Warrington-based UU has taken on the seven to join a team of 30 new drivers hired after it added 19 new tankers to its 49-strong fleet. Tony McDonough reports
Liverpool city region’s water supplier United Utilities (UU) has recruited a team of ex-military personnel to drive its fleet of emergency water tankers.
As part of its commitment under the Armed Forces Covenant, Warrington-based UU has taken on the seven to join a team of 30 new drivers hired after it added 19 new tankers to its 49-strong fleet.
The tankers are deployed in emergencies to pump water into networks and keep the taps flowing after a water pipe bursts or a leak is detected.
United Utilities’ water network systems manager, Michael Haworth, said: “As a major employer and FTSE 100 company based in the North West, we’re keen to support the armed forces and are committed to the Armed Forces Covenant.
“Someone with a services background can bring a wealth of valuable skills to the workplace. Years of rigorous training, commitment and hard work – often in incredibly challenging conditions – means that ex-military personnel have skills which are highly sought after by employers.”
The new recruits have all been taken on as regional response controllers and include serving reservists and former army, navy and air force personnel.
Phil Oskoui, from Liverpool, is a lance corporal in the army reserves, currently serving with 156 regiment Royal Logistics Corps. He said: “I was attracted to this job because of the reputation United Utilities has as a supporter of the armed forces.
“It can be quite difficult sometimes trying to manage home life, work and my additional duties with the reserves so working for a company that promotes participation in the reserves just makes things easier to manage.
“I think the most valuable skill I gained from serving in the reserves is the ability to think on my feet and make decisions unaided. There are many instances in my new role where I will have to coordinate between the network technicians, the fleet and the potential impact on traffic.”