A green workforce to support freshwater outcomes

Auckland Council’s Healthy Waters is piloting a National Green Infrastructure Certification Programme (NGICP) course that will significantly boost industry knowledge around green stormwater infrastructure.

James Reddish, WSP Technical Principal Catchment Management, is helping Auckland Council roll out the pilot training. He says the pilot of NGICP will provide the base-level skill set needed to properly construct, inspect and maintain green infrastructure.

Reddish says green infrastructure is a fast-growing approach used to reduce stormwater pollution and revitalise communities. He explains that while conventional water infrastructure such as pipes, culverts and concrete channels, have served us well, they can’t deliver what cities of the future need.

“Our cities need places that are healthy and attractive for people, our native plants and wildlife, and our fresh and coastal waters.  Increasingly stormwater managers are easing the burden on traditional infrastructure by using plants and technology - what’s known as water sensitive infrastructure - to reduce flooding and pollution.”

Dukessa Blackburn-Huettner, Head of Lifecycle Management, Healthy Waters, says the training provides career development for existing professionals and presents an opportunity to bridge the skills gap by training a new workforce.

Dukessa says that’s why Auckland Council is working closely with WSP and Water New Zealand to provide the stormwater industry with a national approach.

“We want this training to have the widest possible benefit and for it to be suitable and sustainable in the long term.”

Creating job opportunities

While green infrastructure offers many environmental, societal, and economic advantages, these benefits require skilled workers to carry out the proper installation and ongoing maintenance of systems.

The types of common missteps that can result in green infrastructure system failure include under-watering new plants, cutting or removing desired plant species, or applying unnecessary fertiliser, resulting in excess nutrients. Other common missteps include failure to remove sediments that can clog bioretention and porous pavements.

The good news is that construction and maintenance activities are accessible to entry-level personnel, provided they receive appropriate training and can demonstrate a base level of applicable knowledge and skill. The entry-level, accessible nature of green infrastructure construction and maintenance jobs offers an opportunity to support job creation and long-term employment opportunities in communities where green infrastructure is being implemented.

Now hiring

Our Water Project Delivery team is working on a variety of complex and interesting projects across the country. Get in touch with our team today to see how you can get involved.