Bucket Loads Of Career Opportunities In The Water Sector

MEDIA RELEASE

Looking for a Sustainable Career? There are Bucket Loads of Opportunities in the Water Industry.

Australia's national water conference will provide the setting for a series of free careers seminars available to all tertiary students, careers advisors and recent graduates this 16-18 March in Melbourne.

The Australian Water Association (AWA), through its pioneering industry program H2Oz: Careers in Water, is showcasing career opportunities in one of the nation's and the world's - most challenging and essential sectors.

The seminars entitled "It's great to work in water!" will offer students and advisors a first-hand insight into the benefits of choosing a career in the varied water industry.

"The water industry is facing significant skills shortages and an ageing workforce," said Tom Mollenkopf, CEO of the AWA. "The upside of this is that the water sector provides unparalleled opportunities for young people, both professionally and personally.

"Working in the water sector provides outstanding lifestyle choices, flexibility and personal development opportunities, as well as the chance to make a real difference to the environment and to people's health and quality of life," said Mr. Mollenkopf.

The Australian water sector currently employs well over 44,000 people across the country, and according to the AWA, is recognised as a world leader. "Australians have continued to dominate the winners table at international water awards. We know only too well the impacts of living in a water stressed environment, and those difficulties have been a catalyst for developing innovative and effective solutions that are recognised by our colleagues around the world," said Mr Mollenkopf.

"Significantly, in the face of a turbulent economic climate the water sector provides long term career prospects," Mr. Mollenkopf concluded.

The two FREE seminars will be held on Monday 16 March at 11am and 1.30pm at the Exhibition Theatrette in the Melbourne Exhibition Centre. Each seminar will feature 3 speakers representing different career opportunities and aspects of the water sector. The seminars aim to broaden people's understanding of the sector and the myriad of opportunities available, from engineering and science roles, to IT, HR, project management, business administration, trades, finance and accounting, marketing and communications, conservation, environment and policy.

The seminar program will be repeated at the same time on Tuesday 17 and Wednesday 18 to allow students to work around their class schedules.

H2Oz is funded by 30 key water sector organisations committed to attracting and retaining quality recruits to the industry.

The host conference - Ozwater09 - is the largest water sector event in Australia and will gather over 1000 experts in Melbourne to chart the nation's path to sustainable water management.

To register to attend any of the free seminars, visit www.ozwater09.com.au or simply register on the day at the Melbourne Exhibition Centre.

The Australian Water Association (AWA) is an independent, not-for-profit association for water professionals, with a mission to promote the sustainable management of water. AWA is Australia's peak water industry association, being the largest and most broadly based, integrating knowledge among people involved in regulation, consultancy, research, management and operations, drinking water, wastewater and stormwater disciplines. The AWA has over 5,000 individual and 650 corporate members nationally.

H2Oz: Careers in Water member organisations:
ACTEW Corporation; Barwon Water; Central Highlands Water; Coliban Water; eWater CRC; GHD; Gippsland Water; Gold Coast Water; Goulburn Valley Water; Land and Water Australia; Melbourne Water; MidCoast Water; National Water Commission; Parson Brinckerhoff; Queensland Water Commission; SA Water Corporation; South East Water; SKM; Sunwater Limited; Sydney Water; Townsville City Council; Tyco Water; United Utilities Australia; URS Australia; Veolia Water; Water Corporation; Water Partners; Western Water; Yarra Valley Water.

For further information please contact:
Edie Nyers, Communications and Marketing Manager
AUSTRALIAN WATER ASSOCIATION
Tel: (02) 9467 8416
Mob: 0401 806 277
Email: [email protected]

SOURCE: Australian Water Association