Water industry skills
The skills shortage in Australia's water industry is emerging as 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.
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.
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 Water Skills Audit and Strategy
The Council of Australian Governments (COAG) Working Group on Climate Change and Water recognised the importance of skill and capacity shortages. In line with its recommendations, a COAG sub-group was established to develop a forward work program on human resources, skills and knowledge.
Having commissioned a skills audit, this group is developing a national strategy to address the gaps identified and build knowledge and research capacity. The strategy will be presented to COAG in October.
The Water Industry Skills Taskforce is working closely with the COAG sub-group.
National Water Commission skills projects
In 2007-08, through five Raising National Water Standards (RNWS) Program projects amounting to $4.5 million, the Commission is contributing towards improving water industry knowledge, information and skills.
- Projects under way include a graduate course in water planning and a national water sector skills project.
- $1.231 million is going to a National Water Skills Resource Project to develop consistent standards and resources for the training and assessment of people undertaking accredited courses for improved water management in Australia.
- $80 000 is contributing to an Australian Groundwater School Review of Teaching Resources Project to improve education materials for groundwater professionals.
- A National Water Commission Fellowship Program has funded research in priority areas relevant to implementation of the NWI.