Wessex Water’s Young People’s Panel has again finished and provided valuable input from the next generation of customers.
A first for the UK water industry when launched in 2016, the panel is made up of sixth-form students (ages 16 to 18) who spend time with directors and senior managers before pursuing real-life tasks. They return a couple of months later to pitch their ideas in Apprentice-style presentations and compete for prizes.
Split into four teams, this year’s panel were challenged to design the customer experience for a future roll-out of smart meters and were given seven weeks to carry out research and develop their ideas.
They also took part in some in-depth discussions about storm overflows and sewer misuse, which suggested future customers are aware of and concerned by river pollution but had little understanding of the causes.
“The Young People’s Panel was another fantastic success, with a really interesting and dynamic group of students taking part.,” Andy Pymer, Wessex Water’s executive director of finance and regulation, said. “The panel is a great way for us to gain insight into what matters most for young people so we can continue to provide excellent service for our next generation of customers.
As well as the time spent at Wessex Water’s Bath headquarters and the smart metering task, 15 of the panelists formed an online community and responded to questions on topics ranging from climate change to the community.
“The teams did an exceptional job delivering their presentations and they had lots of great ideas which will feed into our future metering plans,” Pymer continued. “The experience is also mutually beneficial for the young participants who get the chance to learn about a large organization, spend time with senior leaders and add some really credible achievements to their CVs.”
More than 300 students also took part in a wider school survey as part of the Young People’s Panel. This included questions about the environment and Wessex Water’s plans for the future.
Previous panel winners have seen their ideas implemented by Wessex Water, including a moneyback guarantee for customers who switch to a meter.
The panel members came from all corners of the region and completed online assignments, keeping in touch via WhatsApp. In return for their hard work, they received a formal reference for use in university or apprenticeship applications.
