Leaping into networking with the Institute of Water

I was delighted to recently join the Institute of Water for their first Midlands networking event of the year. Poignantly timed and named “Leap into the year” the Institute chose to maximise the extra February day to find the time to network and we focused on the theme: grow, connect & develop. 

I presented and held a Q&A session with professionals across the Water sector and to represent WUN; discussing the impact they have had in supporting women to join, stay and thrive in their Utility careers. 

Alex Martin , Head of Water Resources and Regulation from Jacobs kicked us off, to tell us some of the exciting opportunities in the pipeline following the ambitious plans featured in submissions for PR24 from water businesses across the UK and ahead of the AMP8 investment period. It's clear that this is a huge time for sector innovation, with an increase in available funds and a focus on a longer time period,  with more emphasis from the regulator on planning for 20-25 years rather than just a shorter 5 year cycle. One question from this conversation: Where will the sector source the required talent to cover the significant increases in output and delivery?

Many water sector professionals stay with an employer for some time, this happens for many reasons: The ability to work across departments, continuous improvement opportunities to build and develop soft and technical, regional constraints for travel, and a passion for serving their communities with an essential service.

Given the potential uplifts in demand.  How do we make the water industry a desirable sector to those that haven’t yet considering this sector?

What does the sector need to do to retain existing and new talent and help them achieve promotions and nurture future leaders and how will this impact Diversity, Equity and Inclusion?