Tech Shortage Threatens Water & Emergency Services – NRK Rogaland

• I feel I have a job that matters. I see that it is a very backlog.

Engineer Vilde Ellingsen Bråten notices that there are little people in the water and wastewater industry now.

She visits a construction site at Lura in Sandnes.

There a culvert is built under the ground, as well as new pipes. The old pipes are from the 60s, as many of the water pipes in Norway are.

the rain is pouring down, and there is a mild warning of the problems that can occur in the water and sewerage industry in the future.

Because it is expected that there will be more extreme weather in the future.And in order for you to have clean water in the tap,everything must flap.

• It is crucial that there are people with good expertise in the municipality, says Bråten.

The industry is struggling to get people across the country. It shows fresh surveys from Income.

Simultaneously occurring, it was recently announced that water and sewerage could face investment costs in Norway of more than NOK 500 billion over the next 20 years.

The reason why there is a cry in the industry is composed:

• Old pipes and facilities
• lack of people in the industry
• Decrease in applicant numbers
• Ever wetter and wilder

Decline in applicants for water and wastewater – a worrying trend, says Ingrid Skjærbakken

she points out that for several years there has been a decline in applicant numbers for water and wastewater in higher education.

Ingrid Skjærbakken, Professional manager in operating operator education and trainee water in Norwegian Water, warns of a concerning trend: fewer and fewer students are applying for education in water and wastewater management. This decline in applicants poses a potential challenge for the future of water resource management in Norway.

Norway Faces critical Shortage in Water and Wastewater Professionals

Norway is grappling with a severe shortage of skilled workers in the water and wastewater industry,raising concerns about the country’s ability to maintain essential infrastructure and ensure access to clean water,according to Tekna,the country’s largest organization for engineers and technology professionals.

Tekna’s president, Elisabet Haugsbø, warns that the lack of qualified personnel is not just a future problem – it’s an immediate threat to emergency preparedness. “We won’t have clean water in the tap in the future, she says.”

The urgency of the situation became starkly clear during the extreme weather event “Hans” in 2023. the massive rainfall and subsequent flooding caused widespread damage to infrastructure, including critical water and sewerage systems, across large parts of southern Norway.

Haugsbø emphasizes that they truly understood the extent of the problems during the “Hans” crisis. The event highlighted the vulnerability of Norway’s water infrastructure and the critical need for a robust workforce capable of responding to and mitigating the impacts of extreme weather events.

Don’t think the s

The Norwegian Water and Wastewater Sector Faces a Growing Skills Shortage

The Norwegian water and wastewater sector is grappling with a looming crisis as experienced workers retire and fewer young people enter the field. A recent survey by Tekna, a professional organization for engineers and technologists, reveals that 9 out of 10 municipalities fear they will lack the necessary expertise to maintain critical infrastructure in the coming years.

The challenges are multifaceted. An aging workforce is reaching retirement age, taking decades of valuable knowledge with them. simultaneously, recruitment is proving tough, with municipalities struggling to attract young talent. This shortage threatens the ability to operate and maintain essential water and wastewater treatment plants, perhaps impacting public health and environmental sustainability.

“We are facing a significant challenge,” says Trond Rønningen, head of Tekna’s water and wastewater network. “Many municipalities are already struggling to find qualified personnel, and the situation is expected to worsen in the years to come.”

The survey highlights a lack of proactive planning. Despite recognizing the problem, few municipalities have developed comprehensive, long-term strategies for recruitment and retention. This includes initiatives to make municipal employment more attractive to young professionals.

Jon Røstum, a senior business developer at SINTEF, offers a more nuanced viewpoint. While acknowledging the challenges, he doesn’t believe a complete collapse of the system is imminent. “Most people have had water in the tap and functioning toilet for decades. The uptime is close to 100 percent,” he states.”The challenge is not that the system collapses, but that we have to solve the tasks smarter in the future.”

Røstum emphasizes the importance of making municipal jobs appealing to the next generation. “If you want to secure professional environments, you have to make it attractive for young people to work in the municipality.Then it is indeed about the projects, about building environments and about using new technology.”

Addressing this skills gap requires a concerted effort from municipalities, educational institutions, and the industry as a whole. Investing in training programs, promoting the value of water and wastewater professions, and embracing innovative technologies are crucial steps to ensure the long-term sustainability of Norway’s vital water infrastructure.

Norway Faces Skills Shortage in Water and Wastewater Management,Calls for Increased Education

A growing need for skilled professionals in Norway’s water and wastewater sector is prompting calls for increased education and awareness of career opportunities in the field. The municipality of Bærum, located near Oslo, is experiencing challenges in recruiting qualified personnel, but officials emphasize the situation isn’t a crisis – yet.

The issue highlights a broader trend across Norway,where an aging workforce and increasing demand for enduring water management are creating a skills gap. According to a 2023 report by the Norwegian Association of Local and Regional Authorities (KS), municipalities are struggling to fill positions in several technical fields, including water and wastewater treatment. https://www.ks.no/aktuelt/nyheter/mangler-kvalifisert-arbeidskraft-i-kommunene/

A Random Path to a Rewarding Career

Vilde Ellingsen Bråten, an engineer working in the water and wastewater industry in Bærum, found her way to the profession somewhat unexpectedly.”I hope more people will know that this is a possibility,” she stated in an interview with NRK. Her experience underscores the need to raise awareness about the diverse career paths available within the sector.

The demand isn’t limited to engineers. Qualified technicians, process operators, and laboratory personnel are also in high demand. The Norwegian Institute for Water Research (NIVA) emphasizes the importance of a multidisciplinary approach to water management, requiring expertise in biology, chemistry, and engineering. https://www.niva.no/en

Why the Shortage?

Several factors contribute to the skills shortage:

* Aging Workforce: A significant portion of the current workforce is nearing retirement age,creating vacancies that need to be filled.
* Increased Demand: Growing populations, climate change impacts (leading to more extreme weather events and water scarcity concerns), and stricter environmental regulations are increasing the demand for sophisticated water and wastewater infrastructure.
* Lack of Awareness: Many students are unaware of the career opportunities available in the water and wastewater sector, often favoring more traditionally popular fields.
* Geographic Disparities: Rural and remote municipalities often face greater challenges in attracting and retaining qualified personnel.

Bærum’s Response and National Implications

Ove Byberg, department head in Bærum, acknowledges the recruitment challenges but believes the situation is manageable. He hopes more individuals will pursue education and training aligned with the needs of the industry.

The situation in Bærum serves as a microcosm of the national challenge. The KS report recommends increased collaboration between educational institutions, municipalities, and industry stakeholders to develop targeted training programs and attract new talent. https://www.ks.no/aktuelt/nyheter/mangler-kvalifisert-arbeidskraft-i-kommunene/

Key Takeaways:

* Norway is facing a growing skills shortage in the water and wastewater sector.
* an aging workforce and increased demand are key drivers of the problem.
* Raising awareness of career opportunities and investing in education are crucial solutions.
* Collaboration between educational institutions, municipalities, and industry is essential.

Published: 24.09.2025, kl. 05.29
Updated: 24.09.2025, kl. 11.15