Thames Water pledges career help to homeless people
Thames Water has pledged help people who are homeless or without secure living arrangements access career opportunities in the water industry, after becoming the first water company to join the Homelessness Covenant.
As part of its commitment, Thames Water will create employment and training opportunities for people experiencing homelessness and provide support for its own staff who may be at risk of homelessness.
Launched by the charity Crisis, the Homelessness Covenant consists of a group of organisations helping to prevent and tackle homelessness. It has been set up in partnership with the UK government's Department of Work & Pensions (DWP) and the Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities.
"We want to ensure all people have an equal opportunity to find a career within the water industry and we don’t want to miss out on accessing untapped, diverse talent."
Karima Khandker, Thames Water director director of resourcing and skills, said: “We want to ensure all people have an equal opportunity to find a career within the water industry and we don’t want to miss out on accessing untapped, diverse talent.
"Giving people who are - or have experienced - homelessness access and support so they can have successful and sustained employment and training opportunities, is the right thing to do and is a practical step to help break the cycle of homelessness. As we continue to turn around our business and improve our performance, we’re striving to create a more diverse workforce that is reflective of the communities we serve.
"We’re already working with prison leavers and care leavers to help nurture talent and ensure we have the rights skills, so our business is ready for the future. We’re excited to be offering further access to career opportunities to drive social mobility and provide good work for all.”
Tony Hyland, DWP senior national account manager, said, “It’s always fantastic to see the support Thames Water has shown towards our Covenants, especially the Care Leavers Covenant and Autism Covenant, and now our new Homelessness Covenant.
"These commitments not only nurture new talent into their organisation, but also clearly demonstrate the company’s commitment to supporting the most vulnerable in our communities.”