Flood experts become hot property - graduate jobs

Graduates specialising in flood management will soon be in demand if Scottish politicians pass legislation aimed at tackling the fall-out from heavy rains.

The flood risk management Bill incorporates a European directive on flood risk management and is intended to ensure a co-ordinated approach by all organisations involved in the process.

As a result of the legislation, organisations such as Scottish Environment Protection Agency (Sepa), Scottish Water, and local authorities will require additional hydrologists and flood modellers to help with the strategy.

But MSPs fear a shortage of experts may affect the plan, as well as the time taken to implement it. The problem could be exacerbated further by the legislation's European element, to strengthen anti-flooding measures by 2015, means specialist staff will be sought after across the whole continent.

This comes at a time when the Environment Agency, Sepa's equivalent in England and Wales, has 200 vacant flood management posts.

The report said: "The committee is deeply concerned that a marked shortage in skilled staff may impact both on the effectiveness of Scotland's new flood risk management process and the time taken for implementation."