It is forecast there will be 27,000 vacancies in the Water Sector over 2020-2029 period, with 48% of the workforce retiring in the next 20 years.  Despite this, research shows that 85–90% of neurodivergent individuals are unemployed or underemployed.  Change is required, not only for the benefit of these individuals but to address the resource challenges that the sector faces. A shift towards digital innovation and transformative solutions can enable change. 

Digital technologies have the potential to deliver enormous economic, environmental, and societal benefits. However, heavily regulated sectors like the energy industry, known for their conservatism and low risk tolerance, face significant obstacles in adopting these technologies. This is significant because broader use of digital technologies is important for delivering on the industry's mission and crucial for the energy sector's transition to net zero.