How to guide young people’s careers in water and sanitation

05 October 2023

The water and sanitation sector is mostly failing its young staff and potential recruits, according to new research carried out by the Rural Water Supply Network (RWSN), led by AquaFed and funded by the Netherlands’ Government’s Valuing Water Initiative Youth Journey. 

Within the country’s critical context, women and girls find themselves further marginalised. UNICEF’s programmes are gender-inclusive, and many girls have been engaged in installing water tanks, laying pipes, and waterproofing roofs.

The Career Pathways Guidance project found that there are simply too many barriers put in young people’s way even before they are recruited. And, while water supply and sanitation services (WSS) employers value young people’s skills, they often do not develop and nurture them in any kind of meaningful or structured way.

The research presented in the briefing note summarizes how young people are recruited and how their careers are developed in WSS. The findings will be used for the next phase, which is to create the Guidance for Services Providers on how to guide the careers of young people.

  • Download the briefing note here.
  • The Career Pathways Guidance project is part of the Water Action Agenda, a collection of commitments to accelerate progress on water and sanitation. Explore the Agenda here.

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