Water professions: a crisis of attractiveness with major consequences

Water-related professions (drinking water treatment, sanitation, plant operation, water chemistry) are currently facing an unprecedented crisis in terms of attractiveness. Even though water is a vital and strategic resource, training programmes are struggling to recruit students and there is a shortage of professionals in the field.

This observation is shared by many stakeholders in higher education and training, particularly at the University of Limoges (Unilim FST).

The first cause identified is direct competition from digital professions. IT, data, artificial intelligence and cyber security hold a strong fascination for younger generations.

‘It's like a screen that dazzles young people,’ sums up Ms Bourven, a teacher on the professional bachelor's degree course in Water Treatment.

Technical professions related to water, often perceived as manual, concrete or field-based, suffer in comparison. The all-digital world, reinforced by the omnipresence of screens and smartphones, makes these professions less visible, less valued and sometimes considered less ‘modern’.

Another key factor is the lack of appeal of chemistry in schools. Although it is an essential subject for careers in water, it is often taught in a theoretical manner, disconnected from its professional applications.

Students do not make the connection between chemistry and its applications in drinking water, public health, the environment, and the specific careers associated with it.

As a result, few students envisage a future in this field. During awareness-raising activities aimed at young people, only a few show an interest in these careers, despite their obvious societal benefits.

One of the other obstacles cited by professionals concerns the relationship to work of the younger generations.

Whereas previous generations built their careers in one or two organisations, today's young professionals aspire to change environments more often, discover a variety of experiences, and avoid becoming too entrenched in the same position.

However, careers in the water sector, particularly in operations, require regular presence in the field, detailed knowledge of local networks, and a certain degree of stability.

This discrepancy makes it difficult to retain staff, even when the positions are technically interesting.

The issue of attractiveness cannot be separated from that of geographical location. While urban areas remain relatively accessible in terms of recruitment, the situation is much more difficult for rural authorities and farms located 30 to 45 minutes away from urban centres.

‘This phenomenon is not unique to the water sector: it is reminiscent of the difficulties in recruiting doctors in rural areas. Geographical constraints are becoming a decisive factor for young professionals who are reluctant to commute on a daily basis,’ points out Mr. Couegnas, from the Infralim research consultancy.

Water-related professions are hidden professions. The networks are buried, the stations are often remote, and the professionals receive little media coverage.

Unlike other technical sectors (automotive, aeronautics, construction), they are virtually non-existent in children's recreational and cultural world. For example, there are figurines representing professions such as farmers, police officers and labourers, but none representing water treatment plant technicians.

This lack of representation contributes to the erasure of these professions from the collective imagination from an early age.

While careers related to environmental conservation are attracting new recruits, those involving the small water cycle are little known to the general public and young people.

‘In my case, I have always been attracted to nature and careers related to the natural environment. Ever since I was a child, I wanted to work in nature conservation. The technical aspects, working in a wastewater treatment plant, the sludge, the unpleasant odours, are not appealing,’ says the representative of the OFB's Nouvelle-Aquitaine regional office.

A paradox highlighted by Mr Couegnas stands out clearly: young people say they are strongly attracted to nature conservation professions, often supported by associations or public bodies with limited financial resources.

Conversely, water utilities, which are essential to the preservation of resources and often better funded, struggle to attract people, despite offering more attractive salaries, job stability and a concrete environmental impact.

This discrepancy shows that the issue is not only financial, but also relates to image, meaning and visibility.

References : Filière Française de l'Eau et SISPEA

To reverse this trend, one approach seems essential: showcasing careers in water.

This involves:

• visual and fun materials,

• concrete illustrations of career opportunities,

• hands-on activities, visits and experiments,

• explicit links between school curricula and careers.

Statements such as ‘With chemistry, you can do this job, that job, or that other job...’ should be emphasised more, insists Ms Bourven.

However, teachers are faced with overloaded curricula, leaving little room for career guidance and in-depth exploration of a sector.

The students' discovery of the OiEau technical hall perfectly illustrates what an immersive approach can achieve.

Equipment, colours, visible installations: everything works together to catch the eye and arouse curiosity.

Even without technical knowledge, the effect is immediate:

• understanding that you are going to do something concrete,

• visualising the usefulness,

• making you want to find out more.

The decline in interest in water-related professions is not insignificant. In the long term, it poses a major risk of undermining access to drinking water.

Without trained technicians, operators, chemists and engineers, infrastructure will age, water quality will be threatened, and sustainable management of the resource will become impossible, at a time when it is already under pressure from the impacts of climate change.

Making water-related professions attractive requires a concerted effort on the part of educational establishments (both initial and continuing), training organisations and institutions such as OiEau, manufacturers and scientific communication stakeholders.

Promoting career paths and demonstrating the usefulness of these professions: everything needs to be rethought. Because behind the water that flows from our taps are indispensable men and women. And without them, our daily lives would simply be in danger.