Water industry skills
The skills shortage in Australia's water industry is a key constraint on growth and change in the sector. Research suggests that although 50% of all water utilities staff will retire over the next 5-10 years, projected industry replacement rates fall sharply below the numbers required.
The Commission is playing a lead role in tackling the skills shortage. In March 2008, we convened a National Water Industry Skills Forum in association with the Australian Water Association (AWA) and the Water Services Association of Australia (WSAA). This forum, which brought together more than 80 water sector leaders, led to the establishment of a Water Industry Skills Taskforce.
Water Industry Skills Taskforce
The Taskforce promotes and oversees a nationally coordinated effort to address the skills shortage in the water sector. With CEO-level representation from the water industry and related education and government sectors, the Taskforce is well placed to lead industry-wide work programs. One element of the Taskforce's efforts is the promotion of the water industry as an attractive career option.
COAG National Water Skills Strategy
On 7 December 2009, COAG agreed to redouble its efforts to accelerate the pace of reform under the National Water Initiative (NWI), committing to the National Water Industry Skills Strategy to address skills shortages in the water industry. In support of the strategy, the Australian Government agreed to fund several initiatives from the Raising National Water Standards program of the National Water Commission.
H2Oz Careers in Water campaign
The National Water Commission is a co-sponsor of the water industry's marketing initiative, the H2Oz Careers in Water Campaign, which is encouraging people to both seek and embark on careers in the water sector. This campaign was launched by the CEO of the Australian Water Association, Tom Mollenkopf (left), at the launch of National Water Week 2009.
The H2Oz careers in water campaign relies significantly on its website through which interested people can convert interest into action by receiving:
- general information on the water industry and the H2Oz campaign
- job listings
- information on specific job types, including advice on skills needed and what courses to take to pursue a particular career
- videos, case studies, interviews and photos showcasing the industry and the many opportunities it offers.