Think tank calls for push on diversity

Water companies must urgently step up their efforts to diversify their workforces, if they are to recruit all the digital and physical scientists and engineers they need.

The warning comes in a report from Sustainability First that calls for “inclusive recruitment practices, highlighting the importance of diversity in driving innovation.” Recommendations in the report include anonymous CVs, training to reduce unconscious bias, and a proactive plan for reaching out to prospective new recruits. 

It also presses for the need to address negative public perceptions, ageing workforces, and political uncertainties through “cultural shifts and practical skills development”.

The report, Jobs and skills in green tech, said the need for this “transformative shift” is driven by a “digital revolution in utilities” that is fuelled by the pressure on utilities “to decarbonise, expand and upgrade ageing infrastructure, harnessing the latest technological advancements”. Executive director of Sustainability First, David Murray, said this period change “demands that employers in the energy and water sectors leverage green technology and diversify talent.”

He went on to stress: “Our report not only outlines the skills required but also aims to inspire young people and underrepresented groups to pursue careers in this vital field.” 

The report – funded by Hg Foundation, which supports underrepresented groups in accessing high-quality jobs in tech – highlights the need for “a collaborative effort between employers, policymakers and educational institutions in which:

• “employers identify skills gaps, improve literacy on energy and water issues, and engage early with schools;

• policymakers maintain consistent policies, embed green skills in education, and streamline planning processes; and

• educational institutions promote science, technology engineering and mathematics careers, develop digital skills, and build strong employer relationships.”