Return of NI Water student hybrid work experience programme following strong first year

Smiles all round as student Amber Duncan from Foyle College dives into the NI Water Science Hybrid Work Experience programme for its second year. In partnership with Futures for All, enthusiastic 16-19 year olds are enjoying real-world science, from hands-on experiments to exciting VR tours. NI Water looks forward to inspiring future talent throughout this academic year, with an engineering session to look forward to in early 2026 too.

placeholder image — Smiles all round as student Amber Duncan from Foyle College dives into the NI Water Science Hybrid Work Experience programme for its second year. In partnership with Futures for All, enthusiastic 16-19 year olds are enjoying real-world science, from hands-on experiments to exciting VR tours. NI Water looks forward to inspiring future talent throughout this academic year, with an engineering session to look forward to in early 2026 too.

NI Water is celebrating the return of its student hybrid work experience programme after its successful inaugural year.

Developed in partnership with leading social mobility charity, Futures for All (formerly Speakers for Schools), the NI Water initiative has provided invaluable opportunities for students aged 16 to 19 to gain real-world insights into their chosen careers. Over the past year, almost 80 students from across Northern Ireland have taken part in a blend of virtual and in-person sessions, including interactive workshops and talks delivered by NI Water professionals.

Building on this success, NI Water was excited to kick off the second year of its Work Experience Programme by welcoming aspiring scientists in November. Students had the opportunity to step inside NI Water’s laboratories and take part in a range of interactive activities including virtual tours of NI Water’s water and wastewater treatment centres using VR headsets, hands-on experiments and other practical tasks, deepening their understanding of scientific principles in action.

Throughout the virtual sessions, students engaged with NI Water staff, who shared their career journeys and answered questions, providing valuable inspiration and guidance.

NI Water, a multi award-winning employer, will continue its commitment to inspiring future talent by hosting further hybrid work experience programmes in 2026. The next session will focus on careers in Engineering, will take place in February 2026. This ongoing initiative ensures that students across Northern Ireland can gain industry insights and develop essential skills for their future careers.

NI Water’s Head of HR Operations Helen Devlin explained: “We’re really proud of the incredible success of our Hybrid Work Experience Programme so far. It’s been inspiring to see so many young people gain meaningful insights into the world of water and science, building skills that will shape their future. Looking ahead to 2026, we’re excited to provide even more opportunities for students - expanding access to enriching work experience - and helping the next generation explore innovative career paths in an ever-evolving industry.”