The Institute of Water and Energy & Utility Skills have launched a new strategic partnership to promote competence, skills and career development for the whole water industry, from trainee through to senior leadership.

The organisations will work proactively together to attract talent, promote professional excellence and ensure a sustainable and resilient workforce.

The collaboration puts into action key recommendations from the first-ever Workforce Renewal and Skills Strategy, published in February. The Skills Strategy for the water, gas, power and waste management industries, made the case clear for acting together now, to ensure a safe, competent and sustainable workforce.

Nick Ellins, Chief Executive of Energy & Utility Skills and twice a former President of the Institute of Water, said:

“This partnership aims to build sector resilience in the workforce, now and in the future. Improving our sector attraction and professional proficiency is incumbent on us all in water - policy makers, regulators, the regulated, delivery partners and the supply chain.”

“The Institute of Water were one of the first to answer that call for active collaboration and I am delighted to have their guidance and expertise as the only professional body solely dedicated to the careers of water professionals. This new partnership will actively promote water careers and help to make excellence the standard. We extend a warm welcome to other key water industry bodies to partner with us.”

The Skills Strategy was the first-ever coherent strategic plan for the continued delivery of essential energy and utility services to 65 million people every day across Scotland, Wales, England and Northern Ireland. The sector accounts for 56% of the National Infrastructure Delivery Plan and requires a skilled, competent and sustainable workforce.

The Strategy found that 221,000 vacancies will be created across the energy and utilities sector during the next decade. These vacancies will be made up of 100,000 existing employees who will retire, 90,000 who will move to jobs outside the sector, and another 31,000 that will be required to fill newly-created roles.

Lynn Cooper, Chief Executive of the Institute of Water, commented:

“Career development is at the heart of everything the Institute of Water offers. Our vision is for the UK water sector to be served by the best people and we offer opportunities for all of our members to develop their careers through learning, recognition, networking and professional excellence."

“In launching this new partnership with Energy & Utility Skills, we will take forward our commitment to industry people, implement the shared workforce renewal & skills strategy and further increase the chances of achieving our vision.”

Sector-appropriate induction training will be another feature of the new partnership, with work already underway to bring together an e-learning course for all those in the water industry.

Course graduates will have the opportunity to become part of the Institute of Water community and will be added to the Energy & Utility Skills Register, which will enable employers to verify the skills of their workforce through a trusted source.

The partnership is the latest major development in the industry, following a series of initiatives to promote competence, health and safety within the water sector.

The National Water Hygiene training and accreditation scheme has been updated and refreshed by a steering group of water companies and the drinking water quality regulator. The Blue Card ensures all those working with or around the public water supply, understand their responsibilities and know how to manage core risks.