A Career in Inland Waterways
Most of Britain’s rivers, canals, lakes and reservoirs are managed by
British Waterways, though there are also some rivers and waterways run by other
organisations. There is some commercial traffic on inland waterways, but they are
mostly used for leisure with the UK’s rivers, canals, lakes and reservoirs bring
in around £1.5 billion in visitor income each year.
The work
Most canals in the UK are over 200 years old, so maintenance workers are
kept busy, repairing banks, lock gates and pumping equipment. There are also
commercial, IT, financial and administrative staff and people involved in marketing,
running and developing the leisure business. Several private companies are
involved in providing leisure activities and facilities in the more popular sections of
the canals, such as the Thames and the Broads. As well as hire companies, there
are boatyards offering services to private boat owners who need moorings, fuel and
repairs.
The skills
An interest in inland waterways is a prerequisite and the specific skills
required will vary depending on the job role. The following general skills will
normally be required:
- Good communication
- Team working
- IT literacy
- Strong administrative skills
- Customer care
Entry requirements
British Waterways offers one-year work placement to undergraduates in areas
such as engineering, marketing, finance and IT.
There are also apprenticeship opportunities in inland waterways-related
occupations, so it is worth visiting the Apprenticeship websites to see what is
available (there are separate sites for each of the four nations):
Salary and career development
Graduate entrant salaries are in the region of £21,000 and other
salaries will vary depending on the type of role.
Vocational and professional qualifications are available in related areas
such as environmental management, leisure and tourism, heritage and conservation,
transport management, engineering, fish farming and waterkeeping. In addition, where
boatbuilding is part of the local economy, there is likely to be boatbuilding
courses.
Employers
Over 50,000 jobs are indirectly linked to waterways, but only a small number
of people are directly employed. British Waterways is the main employer and employs
about 2,000 people, based all over the country, in a range of jobs:
- Civil engineers
- Surveyors
- Building inspectors
- Heritage and environment advisors
- Patrol officers
- Maintenance workers
- Customer care
Contacts
For more information on inland waterways careers visit the following
websites:
- www.ciltuk.org.uk The Chartered
Institute of Logistics and Transport is the leading professional association for
those involved in all aspects of logistics and transport.
- www.britishwaterways.co.uk British
Waterways is the public corporation that cares for the 2,200-mile network of canals
and rivers in England, Scotland and Wales. From summer 2012 it is expected
that British Waterways will change to become a new charity called Canal & River
Trust (www.canalrivertrust.org.uk).
- www.waterwaysireland.org
Waterways Ireland has responsibility for the management, maintenance, development
and restoration of inland navigable waterways in Northern Ireland and the Republic
of Ireland.
- All vacancies, placements and volunteering opportunities are advertised
in local and/or national press, on the British Waterways or Waterways Ireland
websites, and in relevant publications such as engineering journals or graduate
publications,
- General graduate websites usually list job and placement opportunities
as well as job profiles sometimes including video interviews with those working in
the sector: www.gradjobs.co.uk; www.targetjobs.co.uk; www.thebigchoice.com; www.prospects.ac.uk; www.grb.uk.com.