Water New Zealand hails STEM subjects to ease skills gap

Water New Zealand has welcomed new industry-led STEM subjects for Year 12 and 13 students, saying the change could broaden awareness of careers in the water sector.

The move comes as the industry faces a significant labour gap over the coming decade. A report by the Department of Internal Affairs Water Sector Working Group estimated a shortfall of 10,000 skilled workers as councils prepare for increased spending under their Water Services Delivery Plans.

That forecast comes alongside expected infrastructure investment equivalent to AUD $48 billion over the next ten years, according to the working group report cited by Water New Zealand. It said the scale of the work means employers will need people from a broad mix of disciplines, not just traditional engineering roles.

Gillian Blythe, Chief Executive Officer of Water New Zealand, said the new subjects could help students see earlier how school study connects with employment options.

“There is a huge range of career opportunities in the water sector - from engineering and hydrology to environmental science, data science, ecology, planning, communications, customer service and many more. The new STEM pathways are an exciting step because they'll help students discover that breadth of opportunity much earlier,” Blythe said.

The industry body said the sector includes technical, field-based and community-facing roles. Broader subject pathways at school could help students identify entry points that match different interests and strengths, it said.

Skills demand

Water infrastructure has become a growing focus for local authorities as they respond to pressure across drinking water, wastewater and stormwater systems. The investment planned in council delivery plans has increased attention on workforce supply, training and the pipeline of younger recruits.

Recent employment data points to softer conditions in some parts of the economy, but Water New Zealand said water remains an area of durable demand. It linked that outlook to the long-term nature of infrastructure renewal and the range of regulatory, environmental and operational work required across the network.

Blythe said the sector's workforce needs are broad.

“With around $48 billion of infrastructure investment expected over the next ten years, the sector will require people with a wide range of skills and backgrounds,” she said.

Water New Zealand said the sector also needs people whose interests extend beyond laboratory science or engineering design. It pointed to jobs involving outdoor work, problem-solving, community engagement and customer service.

“The water sector needs people with all sorts of interests and talents. Whether someone enjoys science, technology, working outdoors, problem-solving or working with communities, there are many different ways to contribute,” Blythe said.

Subject choices

Although the new senior STEM subjects are still being developed, Water New Zealand said students making subject selections now should consider how school courses may connect to water-related careers. That includes both direct technical pathways and less obvious routes into planning, communications and service delivery.

To support that process, it has produced career information and an online subject selection tool to help students map school subjects to roles in the sector. Clearer information could improve decisions made before students leave secondary school, it said.

The organisation represents about 3,200 members across New Zealand's water supply chain, including engineers, technicians, consultants, researchers, academics and service delivery workers. Its remit covers drinking water, wastewater and stormwater, along with issues such as climate resilience and environmental management.

For the sector, the challenge is not only the number of workers required but the breadth of expertise needed as investment rises. Water utilities and related organisations will need to attract people with scientific, technical, operational and public-facing skills to meet the demands set out in local authority plans.

“Helping students make informed subject choices is exactly what these new STEM pathways are designed to support. The more young people understand the opportunities available in sectors like water, the better placed they'll be to make decisions about their future,” Blythe said.