Star consultant urges water industry to reel in young recruits
UK Institute of Water’s “rising star,” Alisha Syal, has pressed the water industry to find new ways to attract young talent to tackle urgent social and environmental challenges. She was hosting the latest of consultancy, Isle Utilities’, Water Action Platform webinars that highlighted the industry’s escalating need for new recruits.
Isle consultant, Syal, said the sector needed to throw off its reputation as being “set in its ways” so it can bring on the injection of younger workers needed to meet the complex challenges that lie ahead. She said the industry had “tremendous potential to benefit society and the environment.”
The webinar sought the views of younger people coming into the water sector, and to look at the challenges they face. It examined the growing difficulties associated with an ageing workforce. “Different generations,” Sval said, “can learn from each other and ultimately make better informed and forward-thinking decisions.
“With added factors like population growth, we need to keep up with the ever-expanding need for sustainable water supply and sanitation, It’s about collaboration.”
As part of the seminar Sval interviewed Portsmouth Water chief executive, Bob Taylor, about the benefits of having a young workforce, and how to attract and retain young people in the water sector. The company, Taylor said, was “leading the way” in age diversity in its workforce.
“The advantage of having a young workforce,’ Taylor said, “is that you’ve got people coming in to replace and replenish an ageing workforce. In addition, young people come with a different mindset, a different skillset and different angles on important topics. He added: “Water companies need new ideas, ways of thinking, and innovation, and young people can offer these fresh perspectives.”
Portsmouth Water has set up a board of Future Innovators, comprising young employees charged with delivering specific projects, such as the company’s programme of community work.
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