Supporting Future Engineers and Water Treatment Professionals: Lutra's Commitment to First Foundation

The Water Industry in New Zealand suffers from both quantity of candidates in the field, and diversity of qualified candidates in the industry. When looking at this from a small business perspective, it feels like something we could have minimal impact on, and something that should be left for the bigger organisations to tackle. This is, however, not the case - as Lutra discovered a few years back while investigating meaningful ways we can help give back to the industry.

In 2021, Lutra partnered with First Foundation to provide two students with scholarships which will support them on their learning journey. First Foundation works nationwide and organises partnerships between businesses or private donors to provide financial and holistic support for students from their final year in high school, through 3 years of University. Students applicable to receive the scholarship are typically from low socio-economic backgrounds and are the first in their family to attend higher education.

Lutra’s First Foundation scholarships started officially for these two students in 2022, with First Foundation providing the holistic career support along with a dedicated mentor for the 4 years of the programme. For each of these years, Lutra provides paid work opportunities over the Summer period for these students to gain real-world experience for the start of their careers.

The two students which Lutra have provided scholarships for, Paratene and Vanessa, have finished high school and are onto their further education at their selected Universities. Both students are reaching high for their careers, and excelling on their path forwards. Of course we have hopes that these students will favour working at Lutra in the future, however the main goal for us with this initiative is to be giving back to the industry that has supported Lutra to achieve a position where we're able to help.