Defra launches Water Skills Strategic Group

(by Karma Loveday)

Defra has convened a new group, to operate until 2030, to try to ensure there is a water workforce of the size and competence needed to deliver the £104bn AMP8 and major projects programmes. At least 30,000 new people are needed to fulfil these commitments.

The Water Skills Strategic Group, co-chaired by Defra and Energy & Utility Skills, brings together senior leaders in Government with those from across the water sector and its supply chain. The inaugural meeting took place last week.

Meeting quarterly, the group will focus on identifying where skills are needed most across the sector; exploring how to improve its attractiveness to new, diverse talent; and ensuring the right training and qualifications are in place.

A framework for measuring progress has been built in to track whether the group is achieving its objectives, creating impact and robustly planning to support the implementation of the Government’s water reform.

Formation of the group builds on commitments made at the Water UK Skills Summit earlier this year where Government and industry leaders signed the Water Skills Pledge.

Water minister Emma Hardy said: “This partnership between Government, industry and training bodies will help build the workforce we need for the future of our water sector.”