Engineering skills shortage prompts government response

A joint initiative to tackle the skills shortage in flood risk management has been unveiled.

Driven by the Environment Agency (EA), the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) and the Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE), Action on Engineering Skills Shortage in Flood Risk Management outlines a series of actions to inspire school leavers and graduates into careers in flood and coastal engineering and then retain and develop them.

This joint plan is in response to recommendations in a report commissioned by Defra and EA and prepared by ICE.

The report identified a shortage of engineering and science skills in the workforce with particular reference to a shortage of engineering skills in flood risk management and a lack of suitably qualified flood risk engineers. 

Initiatives such as working with GCSE exam boards, providing work experience to sixth formers as well as sponsorship schemes for undergraduates are ideas that will be considered by an Employers' Forum, being set up by EA to tackle the skills gap in flood and coastal engineering.

Representatives from government, ICE, consultants, contractors and other organisations involved in flood risk management are working together to improve the situation over time.

EA head of flood risk management David Rooke said: "Having sufficient skilled engineers and technical staff is key to successful delivery of flood risk management.

"We want to work with the industry and education sector to ensure that our needs can be met against an increase in flood risk."