Unprecedented action to grow the water workforce and enhance skills in the sector is being undertaken by the UK Government and water companies in England.

Some 50,000 people will be recruited into the water sector by 2030 – an increase equivalent to adding all the UK staff in oil and gas companies. These commitments come as the water industry embarks on a record £100 billion programme of investment to secure water supplies and stop sewage entering rivers and seas.

With the water industry now the second largest source of private investment in the economy, the UK Government declared water to be a ‘priority sector for economic growth’ at Water UK’s Skills Summit in central London on Wednesday. Ministers have also signed a Water Skills Pledge to ensure that every part of Government supports the skilled workforce required to deliver £100 billion investment across England.

Government and the water industry also announced a historic set of actions that will see:

• Recruitment of up to 5,000 apprentices and up to 2,000 further young people via a new Water Academy Work Programme
• Support for over 100,000 long-term unemployed, care-leavers and veterans through Untapped Talent initiatives which provide skills and access to jobs
• Thousands of work experience opportunities for young people each year
• A new £25,000 Watershot Prize to encourage graduate scientists to develop the technologies of the future and bring their expertise to the water sector
• Continuing to progress Water Skills Bootcamps - 16-week courses that offer a guaranteed interview to anyone successfully completing the course

The Environment Agency has predicted that England needs an additional six billion litres of water every day by 2055 to meet demand. Reservoirs will be vital to ensure we have all the water we need and water companies will need to hire thousands of new specialists to build the 10 newly approved reservoirs over the coming years.

Alongside this water companies will have to recruit experts across many disciplines including engineering, communications, artificial intelligence and catchment science. Jobs will be created in all regions and across the supply chain, as well as in the utilities themselves.

Environment Secretary Steve Reed MP said, “This government’s Plan for Change is delivering the largest investment in water sector history, securing £104 billion of private sector investment. This fresh chapter of growth and opportunity has to be underpinned by delivering skills and an expanded workforce, so a new generation of frontline workers can clean up our waterways and build new infrastructure to serve customers and the environment.”

Minister for Employment Alison McGovern MP, said, “This record £100 billion investment shows how government and water companies are working together to provide stable jobs, alongside cleaner water and greater security of supply for customers.”

Skills Minster Jacqui Smith said, “It’s fantastic to see the water industry investing in homegrown talent through the pledges made at this summit, backing up our reforms to apprenticeships and the skills system to deliver the workforce Britain needs.”

David Henderson, Water UK chief executive, said, “The water industry needs 50,000 new people over the next five years to deliver new infrastructure which is vital for new homes and business expansion. Today’s announcement shows real commitment from both government and water companies to developing the workforce for the future.

"We cannot delay upgrading and expanding vital infrastructure any longer and, with the right skills in place, we will deliver for consumers, the environment and the economy.”