Case Studies

1. Why did you join Hydrosave?

I was looking for a somewhere I could take on a new challenge and develop my skills. Hydrosave had a reputation as a good company to work and could offer everything I was looking for.

2. What was it like when you started?

Learning new things was a challenge to start with, but everyone at the company was helpful and friendly, which made me feel very welcome.

3. How long have you worked at Hydrosave for?

I joined the company in 2008, and have been in my role for nearly a year and a half.

4. What does your job involve?

I work as part of the leakage detection team, going out on site to find the exact location of leaks, so they can be fixed.

5. What part of your job do you most enjoy?

Being part of a team and doing a good job.

6. What is it like working as part of the Hydrosave (head office/ technical/ field based) team?

When we are out on site, we need to work as a team to get the job done, so getting along with everyone really helps.

7. Has your job role changed since joining the company, if so how has your career developed?

I have been learned a lot since joining Hydrosave and have been able to develop my skills and gain some new qualifications.

8. If you have gained any qualifications since joining Hydrosave please list them below.

Since I've joined I have, undergone the construction skills certification scheme accreditation to be cscs registered and completed street works training. I have also gained my blue card.

9. What is the best thing about Hydrosave?

Being part of a team and learning new skills.

1. Why did you join Hydrosave?

I had already been involved in the Leakage industry for 11 years, which had mostly involved nights away or long journeys to and from various sites around the country. I came to Hydrosave because it gave me the opportunity to work closer to home, and therefore the chance to spend more free time with my family. The role also promised a new challenge and the opportunity to develop my skills.

2. What was it like when you started?

I had a formal interview with Simon Dray who was very positive towards me and was keen for me to join the company; which gave me great confidence before I even started. I started in Derbyshire and was made to feel very comfortable by everyone, right from the beginning. My objectives were set out very clearly so I knew exactly what was required from me.

The company was pretty similar to how it is now, but it has grown noticeably. Over the years I have seen Hydrosave develop into a larger Organisation with more employees working within the Group.

3. How long have you worked at Hydrosave for?

I have worked at Hydrosave for just over 4 years now, starting in November 2005

4. What does your job involve?

I am one of three senior leakage technicians in Derbyshire. The role was created in order to give the benefit of our knowledge to some of the lesser experienced technicians who work alongside us. The three senior techs in Derbyshire act as mentors to their own individual groups of technicians. As well as mentoring, we carry out van audits and take Health & Safety phone calls three times a day on behalf of the company, reporting back to our line manager. We also have our own target DMA's where we go out and do a leakage survey.

5. What part of your job do you most enjoy?

There are several things I enjoy about my job. Interaction with customers - especially when you see how grateful they are that you have resolved a potentially awkward situation for them. Helping the other technicians - seeing their skills develop and improve. Even something as simple as fresh air; I really enjoy being field based and working outdoors. The name of the game though is leakage and so probably the most enjoyable part of the job is when you bring a DMA down to target (or even below). You can actually see a positive result and this gives great satisfaction.

6. What is it like working as part of the Hydrosave (head office/ technical/ field based) team?

I work as part of the field based team and can honestly say that in Derbyshire we have a really great team of technicians who share a great camaraderie and a good spirit throughout. The aim is to get the job done to the satisfaction of the company and more importantly the client. The majority of the time we achieve this as a team.

7. Has your job role changed since joining the company, if so how has your career developed?

My job role has changed significantly in the four years that I've worked here. I started out as a leak technician, and with the help of management and colleagues I have progressed to the level of Senior Technician. I am also relief supervisor covering for holidays and sickness.

8. If you have gained any qualifications since joining Hydrosave please list them below.

I have gained vocational qualifications which include; valve operations, step testing and confined spaces (escape with breathing apparatus). The company also put me through my NRSWA (street works) and I am currently taking part in ongoing management training for senior technicians.

9. What is the best thing about Hydrosave?

The management are always available to listen and discuss anything that may arise. My colleagues are a top bunch of people who will drop everything to help. They all work hard to achieve client targets on behalf of the company. But by far the best thing about Hydrosave for me is that they have delivered their promise to me when I first started - the chance to develop my skills and put them to their best use.

1. Why did you join Hydrosave?

I was introduced to Hydrosave through a recruitment agency who were working with Hydrosave. I'd been a Technical Specialist at Severn Trent Water for ten years, and was approaching the end of a contract for some freelance work when I had a call saying Hydrosave would like to see me.

2. What was it like when you started?

After my induction at Hydrosave I found myself working back at Severn Trent - which led to a few chuckles from my former colleagues. I was familiar with the IT systems, the culture and working environment, so I was up to speed in my new role very quickly.

3. How long have you worked at Hydrosave for?

I've been with Hydrosave for two years.

4. What does your job involve?

I'm a Risk Assessor. I look at the possible consequences of any valve operations planned by the leakage office - such as any impact on sensitive or major customers, the risk of discolouration, and I warn customers where necessary. I also assist with identifying areas for leak detection campaigns, produce management information reports and occasionally make the tea.

5. What part of your job do you most enjoy?

I seem to have a bit of a knack for lateral thinking, and sometimes a flash of inspiration can lead to an innovative solution to a prickly problem. This gives me enormous job satisfaction. Assuming it works, of course.

6. What is it like working as part of the Hydrosave (head office/ technical/ field based) team?

Most of the time I feel like I'm working as a part of the client's team (Severn Trent), with Hydrosave behind the scenes as a kind of 'mission control'. I always have to keep in mind that those I'm working with are customers first and colleagues second and therefore I must endeavour to be an ambassador for Hydrosave at all times. It keeps me on my toes I guess.

7. Has your job role changed since joining the company, if so how has your career developed?

My role has changed a couple of times. First I was creating information packs for leak detection campaigns, then liaising with engineers, gangs and highways authorities as a support technician; then a field survey technician and now I'm a risk assessor. The client's requirements sometimes change, and so you have to be prepared to change to fulfil those requirements. It can be challenging, but also rewarding.

8. What is the best thing about Hydrosave?

I like the work I do, but mostly I think it's the people I work with. From the field technicians to the directors, I think they're a good crowd.

1. Why did you join Hydrosave?

I had been doing some Agency work for hydrosave and when they were awarded the Essex and Suffolk contract I was offered a full time job with them.

2. What was it like when you started?

When I first joined Hydrosave in 2001 it was more of a family owned business, which was nice. Since then I have seen significant changes take place throughout the company due to being part of a much larger Group.

3. How long have you worked at Hydrosave for?

I have been with the company since June 2001.

4. What does your job involve?

My current job involves leakage detection in DMA (District Metered Areas) and also to identify possible high users within the DMA.

5. What part of your job do you most enjoy?

I enjoy most parts of my job, such as the interaction with the clients and the customers I have to deal with, but I also like the fact that I use my brain and have to sort out the problems I encounter nearly every day.

6. What is it like working as part of the Hydrosave (head office/ technical/ field based) team?

During my time with hydrosave I have had the good fortune to work with some highly experienced techs, from which I have learnt a great deal. This has helped me further my own understanding of my job. At times working with other techs has been great fun and very interesting.

7. Has your job role changed since joining the company, if so how has your career developed?

When I first joined the company I was a number two to a leakage technician, then moving to become a noise logger. I was soon promoted to senior noise logger where I was training new starters. Since then I have also taken on the role of leakage tech and have had to learn how to use correlators and pipe tracing equipment.

Hydrosave were then awarded contract with Southern Water to provide Noise loggers, so I was installed as the team leader for five staff. I had to prepare the work for these staff and also process the returning results. The contract was to run for 14 months, after which I returned to the Essex Contract as a leakage tech. Since then I have become part of the special projects team where I have done a number of different job roles, from leapfrog to trunk main validation.

8. If you have gained any qualifications since joining Hydrosave please list them below.

NRSWA (new roads and street works)
NVQ Level 2 in customer Services
CAT And Genny Training
Palmers Correlator Training
National Water Hygiene Card
SHEA Water
Currently undergoing a management training course

9. What is the best thing about Hydrosave?

One of the best things about working for hydrosave is the varied types of work I have undertaken in my time I have been with the company.

1. Why did you join Hydrosave?

After making a career change I joined Hydrosave because I felt I would enjoy the role I had applied for. The atmosphere was welcoming and the position was an opportunity to show my ability.

2. What was it like when you started?

When I started with Hydrosave there were fewer people based at the Head Office here in Kettering. Four months after joining Hydrosave, the company was acquired by South Staffordshire Plc and has changed quite rapidly in the three years since.

3. How long have you worked at Hydrosave for?

I have worked for Hydrosave for three years.

4. What does your job involve?

My job involves day to day tasks such as; collecting and monitoring timesheets; working to assist Sam Elliott - providing her with sickness/absence information, overtime claims and the working hours which are used for payroll; providing technicians with answers to questions or queries they may have; keeping track and recording all employees holiday information; using Cyborg – for employee information and also using Oracle – for invoicing purposes and general office administration.

5. What part of your job do you most enjoy?

The thing I most enjoy is that I never have two days that are the same. There is always something different going on within the company and always new tasks that need to be carried out.

6. What is it like working as part of the Hydrosave (head office/ technical/ field based) team?

I enjoy working with the team at Hydrosave head office. It is a friendly environment where we all work well together as a team. There is always someone willing to help if you need it. Visitors always seem to enjoy coming to our offices.

7. Has your job role changed since joining the company, if so how has your career developed?

When I first joined Hydrosave I started off carrying out the basic duties of an office assistant – answering the phone, filing, photocopying, faxing. Since then my role has developed and I have taken on more responsibility, meaning that my tasks have completely changed. My title is now HR Administrator.

8. If you have gained any qualifications since joining Hydrosave please list them below.

Since joining Hydrosave I have completed the following qualifications:

ITQ NVQ2
Advance Apprenticeship in Business Administration NVQ2
Customer Services NVQ3
I have also completed ‘Basic First Aid for Appointed Person' and 'Safety, Health and Environmental Awareness' Courses.

9. What is the best thing about Hydrosave?

The best thing about Hydrosave is that I have been given the opportunity to develop my role and work my way upwards within the team. Hydrosave encouraged and enable me to complete the qualifications that I have gained, and I am sure will continue to do so if there is any further training I wish to do.