SEPA teams up with Scottish Universities on flood risk

The Scottish Environment Protection Agency is to work with two of the countries universities in an attempt to plug the emerging skills gap on flood risk management.


SEPA will fund two new trainee posts for each of the next three years with the successful candidates working for the watchdog on a part time basis while studying for an MSc at Sterling or Dundee.

When qualified, it is anticipated that successful graduates will be offered permanent jobs in SEPA helping deliver improved flood risk management for Scotland and meeting the challenges of the forthcoming Flooding Bill.

This new approach will help establish Dundee and Stirling universities as national centres for expertise in flood risk management science.

Graduates from these courses will provide future flood risk management skills, not just for SEPA, but also for other partner organisations in the front line tackling sustainable flood management.

SEPA’s Flood Unit manager, David Faichney said: “To meet our future flood risk management challenges, we must ensure that we have the graduates we need with the relevant skills and knowledge.

“We are delighted that we have secured this agreement with both Stirling and Dundee Universities where new recruits on the SEPA Flood Risk Science Programme will study for their MSc whilst gaining invaluable work experience with SEPA.

“We hope that this initiative is the first step in establishing the next generation of hydrologists and flood risk managers for SEPA and other flood risk management partners in Scotland.”

Minister for the Environment, Ms Roseanna Cunningham, said: “It is vitally important to have sufficient numbers of specialist staff to support the implementation of the Bill and deliver the much needed improvements to how we manage flood risk across Scotland.

“This initiative provides an excellent opportunity for the next generation of hydrologists to hone and study their skills and to ensure Scotland has the expertise needed to protect vulnerable homes and businesses from the threat of flooding.”

Sam Bond

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