Our partnership with MWH Treatment began more than three decades ago, laying the foundation for a long-standing collaboration with one of the UK’s most respected solution providers in the water sector.
Here’s how Alexander Associates helped MWH Treatment deliver critical projects against a tightening skills market to build high-performing teams for MWH Treatment’s AMP7 delivery.
At a glance
With a legacy spanning over 200 years, MWH Treatment is recognised for delivering innovative and sustainable infrastructure that enhances resilience and creates a lasting positive impact on the environment and surrounding communities.
The brief
To meet the demands of AMP7 and successfully deliver multiple projects to deadline, the business sought to recruit a number of key roles across various disciplines throughout the UK.
Having previously worked with specialist recruiters, MWH Treatment understood the value of partnering with a dedicated water engineering recruitment agency to secure high-calibre talent.
The challenges
Tackling the Skills Shortage in the Water Industry
The UK water sector is facing a well-recognised skills shortage, making it increasingly difficult to source experienced professionals across engineering roles. As the demand for talent rises – driven by AMP7 and sustainability targets -businesses like MWH Treatment are under pressure to secure skilled candidates who can deliver complex projects to tight deadlines.
Finding talent with the right technical expertise and industry knowledge has become a major challenge, especially across multiple locations. Recognising this, MWH Treatment partnered with a specialist water engineering recruitment agency to bridge the gap – ensuring they could access high-calibre professionals when and where they were needed most.
Our approach
Leveraging Our Specialist Database
We tapped into our well-established, water sector-specific database, which holds thousands of pre-qualified candidates across engineering, delivery, and commercial roles. Many of these professionals have direct experience in AMP frameworks and are accustomed to the regulatory and compliance requirements of the UK water industry.
Re-engaging Proven Contractors
A key advantage we offered was reactivating our network of contractors who had previously worked with us on similar projects. These professionals were already vetted, referenced, and trusted – allowing for faster onboarding and increased confidence for MWH Treatment.
Focused Role Matching and Pre-Screening
Each requirement was approached with a deep understanding of the technical skills, soft skills, and certifications needed. We carried out structured interviews, ensured availability alignment, and prioritised cultural fit for MWH Treatment’s teams.
National Reach with Local Insight
Our consultants worked across the UK to supply talent locally where possible – helping reduce travel barriers and improve retention – while also being agile enough to mobilise talent for hard-to-fill roles in remote or high-demand regions.
My recent experience with Alexander Associates has been a pleasure. The team, especially Ruth, Connie and Beth responded to my request for a new contract role quickly and efficiently despite the less than ideal timing in terms of industry activity. They sifted through the market on my behalf to avoid wasting my time and reducing my effort to a minimum, keeping me very well informed throughout the search before securing a perfect role for me in record time. Thanks a million, highly recommend, five stars!
Mechanical Design Engineer
Outcome
Since 2017, we have successfully placed over 100 professionals (contract and permanent) with MWH Treatment, across a range of critical roles, including:
- Quantity Surveyors
- Project Managers
- Proposal Engineers
- Civil Design Engineers
- Site Supervisors and Managers
- Planners
- Commissioning Engineers
- Project Engineers
- General Foremen
Alexander Associates has been a great valuable supplier in supporting our hiring needs at MWH Treatment. Their professionalism, efficiency, and deep industry knowledge have consistently delivered high quality candidates who align with our values. The team are proactive and responsive, making the recruitment process seamless.
Senior Talent Acquisition Partner, MWH Treatment
If you would like to know more about our support of MWH Treatment or how we can help you achieve your hiring strategy needs, please reach out to Ruth Parker – Director & Head of Water.
Or, take a look at our dedicated Water recruitment and career portal to discover the information you need about our services.