Rural workforce planning is often discussed as a pipeline. Pipelines can be turned on and off, but river systems are subject to the vagaries of multiple environmental factors, sometimes at a distance from the main flow. Pipelines are usually straight channels, but river systems have multiple entry points and sources, variable flow along their meandering paths, occasional dams and exit points and sometimes wide deltas. Valuable water can be harvested by various users along the way.

This professional forum will begin by exploring the three key areas by short presentations – recruitment, training and retention, triggering thoughts about some of the complex environmental factors affecting the flow.

Following the presentations there will be facilitated discussion, aiming to focus on policy approaches at all levels to affect the health of the river system that is rural workforce. The discussion will also aim to explore innovative approaches and solutions currently at play, whether they are effective and, if so, whether they are transferable to different regions and different countries.

1. Recognise the complexities associated with rural workforce planning and acknowledge that rural workforce is not delivered by a pipeline, an expression that is overly simplistic and points to easy and ineffective solutions.
2. Describe local and distant environmental factors that relate to creating opportunities to improve the health of the river system.
3. Discuss factors that need to be directed at all segments of the system, such as recruitment, training and retention.