Severn Trent Water

Developing Talent

Severn Trent Water provides high quality water and sewerage services to over 3.7 million UK households and businesses in the Midlands and mid-Wales.

Impact first worked with Severn Trent Water (STW) in 1998. Since then we have worked with a cross section of the organisation from graduates to senior managers. The longstanding relationship has benefited both parties; Impact have a great understanding of STW’s values and business issues and STW are able to co-facilitate on many programmes.

Objective

STW introduced the Developing Talent programme nine years ago. The aim of the programme was to develop their graduates’ awareness of their personal impact and to increase their understanding of the interpersonal skills needed for working in a team environment.

The main objective of the programme has not changed, although the title and the participants have. The event is now open to graduates and high potential employees, but the focus is still on the attitudes, skills and behaviours that maximise effective team working.

Solution

The week long programme begins with a series of experiential projects and facilitated inputs designed to focus on communication and team skills. Self-awareness is also explored using MBTI®, structured feedback and disclosure sessions.

Over the years Impact have worked closely with STW to adapt the programme, which now culminates with a Community Action Learning project to bring the learning to life in a real life context.

On the last programme the Community Action Learning project was based at Binley Community Centre. The participants were challenged to update the crèche, the play area and the entrance to the building. They had to gain design approval from the Centre manager before starting the project and work within the confines of a small budget and limited time constraints. The consequential project demanded that the participants worked together effectively to complete the projects to a high standard.

Result

What the participants thought:

"The Impact facilitators were very good, they knew their stuff and were approachable and friendly. The STW facilitator was able to relate the tasks to my day job."

"The practical projects made the programme memorable, fun and helped start discussions to develop other ideas."

"It was good to do a community project that will leave something permanent behind and have a lasting positive impact."

Further Information

Read more about Impact's approach to Developing Talent