The Global Water Center (GWC), in partnership with the Centre for Affordable Water and Sanitation Technology (CAWST) and the Rural Water Supply Network (RWSN), has released a crucial report titled “Rural Water Capacity Needs Assessment.” This comprehensive study, based on input from 280 respondents, shines a light on the significant challenges and gaps within the rural water sector, particularly regarding the workforce.
The report emphasizes the importance of addressing the rural water workforce, as the majority of individuals lacking access to safe water reside in rural areas. The study highlights the need for greater understanding of the global rural water workforce, a critical element in ensuring sustainable water solutions.
Lisa Mitchell, GWC’s Senior Director of Learning Services, emphasizes the report’s significance: “This report provides direction to organizations serving the rural water sector by highlighting key gaps within the rural workforce and what we need to do to address them.”
The report delves into the challenges of building a sustainable rural water workforce. It identifies critical competency gaps in water supply technologies, water quality, and safety, and highlights barriers such as job scarcity, limited incentives, insufficient personnel, and inadequate materials.
One key finding is that the position of infrastructure/maintenance technician is particularly challenging to fill. This underscores the importance of investing in training and recruitment efforts for this vital role.
Shauna Curry, CAWST’s CEO, states, “Key to solving the existing and emerging world’s water crisis is building the capacity of local water, sanitation, and hygiene workers. The findings of this report help focus attention on roles that need to be filled, or need additional skill development.”
The report also emphasizes the importance of attracting talent and supporting individuals in their work to achieve a wider impact, aiming to reach the billions of people lacking access to safe water and sanitation. To address these challenges, the report provides actionable recommendations focusing on:
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Prioritizing the recruitment and development of rural water technicians:
This includes initiatives to attract talent to the field and provide the necessary training and skills development.*
Enhancing capacity development with a focus on workforce issues:
This involves developing targeted training programs that address the specific needs and challenges of the rural water workforce.*
Adopting interactive, peer-based learning approaches:
This leverages the power of collaboration and shared learning to foster a more engaged and supportive learning environment.The report stresses the need for standardized job titles and responsibilities, streamlining capacity development efforts across the sector and facilitating a more cohesive approach to workforce development.
Sean Furey, RWSN Secretariat Director, underscores the importance of investing in human capital: “The long-term success of rural water services hinges on the talent and passion of the people behind the pipes. Investing in human capital is the key to achieving inclusive rural water services.” He emphasizes the role of skilled workers in maintaining critical infrastructure and adapting solutions to local needs, ensuring that safe water reaches every household.
This report serves as a call to action for organizations to join in these efforts to improve the quality and sustainability of rural water services worldwide. GWC, CAWST, and RWSN are committed to taking action based on the report’s findings and encourage other organizations to join their efforts.
The full report, “Rural Water Capacity Needs Assessment,” is available for download at [link to report].
About Global Water Center
Global Water Center is dedicated to ensuring everyone has access to safely managed water. Their approach emphasizes education, innovation, and collaboration, focusing on making rural water projects more sustainable. As a leading resource for the rural water sector, their safe water resources have reached individuals in 131 countries.
About Centre for Affordable Water and Sanitation Technology (CAWST)
CAWST is a Canadian charity and licensed not-for-profit professional engineering consultancy. They empower communities to bring safe drinking water, sanitation, and hygiene into their homes, schools, and clinics, using simple and affordable technologies. Through workshops, open content training resources, and consulting services, CAWST shares knowledge and skills with organizations and individuals in low- and middle-income countries.
About Rural Water Supply Network (RWSN)
RWSN is a professional knowledge network with over 15,000 members in 160 countries. They provide a platform for professionals and organizations to share experiences, collaborate, develop guidelines and standards, curate knowledge, and promote lifelong learning in the rural water sector. RWSN’s vision is a world where all people have access to safely managed, resilient, and sustainable water services. They are committed to improving the quality of rural water services and their management through their members and partners. RWSN also works to inspire and support more women to participate in decision-making roles.
Media Contact:
Alyson Rockhold
Director of Global Engagement
Global Water Center
+1 346.273.9148
arockhold@globalwatercenter.org
