**UK**: The water sector struggles with recruitment and supply chain challenges as it prepares for AMP8, with experts warning that cutting costs risks long-term shortages. The focus must shift to valuing skilled workers to ensure project success and sustainability beyond AMP8.
The water industry in the UK is facing significant challenges as it prepares for the upcoming Asset Management Plan (AMP8), with experts warning that cutting supply chain costs could lead to long-term resource shortages. Water by Murray, an employment specialist, has highlighted concerns regarding the current state of recruitment and skills within the sector, suggesting that many organisations are underprepared for the demands of AMP8.
According to Water by Murray’s Water Industry Labour Report 2024, critical issues are mounting, with ‘skills and recruitment’ identified as the primary challenges facing the industry. The talent crisis has intensified over the past year, leaving many employers struggling to fill essential engineering roles needed for successful project delivery.
Adam Cave, Managing Director and Founder of Water by Murray, commented on the situation, stating, “Every sector in the UK is facing difficulties as a result of the rising costs of employment. However, for a sector like water that is already seeing project delays, squeezing the supply chain doesn’t make sense. The investment into the industry has, in theory, never been more valuable and the pressure on the sector to deliver in AMP8 has never been higher.”
Cave emphasised the critical role of the supply chain in the water industry, highlighting that the historical inconsistencies in supply and demand have led to ongoing discussions about how to achieve a more stable operational model. He contended that increasing pressure on the supply chain before AMP8 commences would be counterproductive for developing effective partnerships that could lead to shared success.
In discussing the recruitment landscape, Cave expressed concern that some organisations may overlook the intrinsic value of their engineering workforce, opting instead to make cuts based solely on numerical assessments. “Everything that water employers have planned for AMP8 is reliant on hiring the right people and this won’t be achievable without recognising the value that engineers and other elements of the supply chain provide,” he stated.
To address the impending skills crisis, Cave proposed a dual approach that separates immediate needs from longer-term solutions. “For the here and now, and to achieve goals set out for AMP8, leveraging the contingent workforce more effectively rather than placing the focus on permanent hires would go a long way in fixing many immediate challenges,” he advised. However, he noted that broader discussions must also take place regarding how to encourage more young individuals to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) to sustain the sector in the years leading into AMP9, 10, and beyond.
In conclusion, the situation facing the UK water industry is complex, with immediate recruitment issues compounding the need for long-term strategic planning. The findings from Water by Murray underline the critical importance of recognising the value of skilled workers and the supply chain as the sector braces for AMP8 and its associated demands.
Source: Noah Wire Services
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