In partnership with the DWA (Deutsche Vereinigung für Wasserwirtschaft, Abwasser und Abfall), UNESCO-UNEVOC has published the booklet, “Skills Challenges in the Water and Wastewater Industry: Contemporary Issues and Practical Approaches in TVET”. The booklet serves as an educational and informational reference for TVET educators and practitioners in the areas of emerging skills development especially demanded by the water and wastewater industry. In particular, the booklet explores labour market needs associated with the introduction of new technologies, trades and competencies. Innovation and collaboration has been taken as the broad theme in order to promote appropriate approaches and innovative practices, to cater linkages and configure cooperation between TVET and the water industry, and to foster the development of emerging skills needed in the water sector.

This initiative has been taken as a response to recommendations made by decision makers and educators during UNESCO-UNEVOC International consultation meetings held in Berlin (2009), in Munich (2010) and the International Experts meeting in Bonn in October 2011. Participants from over 30 UNESCO Member States identified that there is a need for staying abreast of current advances in water and wastewater treatment products and services. To this end, the development of practical guidelines including industrial-based learning materials particularly for TVET teachers and trainers was recommended.

The booklet provides an overview of approaches and practices in current TVET policy and programme at regional, national and local levels in response to the changing patterns of the water and wastewater services. Drawing on worldwide knowledge and experience, regional priorities and challenges faced in TVET particularly for the water and wastewater industry are summarized in this booklet. Prominence is given to capacity development in relation to policy implementation, institutions and human resources from a practical perspective.

With the technical expertise provided by DWA, a specialist technical and scientific organization, the brochure discusses what is currently known about the different types of occupations and jobs in the water and wastewater industry and provides a variety of resources to help educators in understanding, planning and configuring their approaches for the development of emerging skills needed for the green transition of the water and wastewater industry.