What is operator certification? Who needs to be certified? Who certifies operators where I live? How do I maintain my certification? Answers to those questions and more can be found in the December 2022 Operator Essentials column in Water Environment & Technology magazine.
The Water Environment Federation is thrilled to support operator training with WEF’s Operator Scholarship. This scholarship provides funding for individuals seeking water sector operator education, training, or certification to enter the industry or to advance their knowledge, skills, abilities, or license. Learn more and apply today! Applications close March 31, 2023.
Operations Challenge is the world’s premier skills competition for water resource recovery facility operators. Read coverage from the 2022 International Competition in the December 2022 issue of Water Environment & Technology.
Oregon operator turns Air Force experience into a successful wastewater career. Read more.
Skills learned during an Air Force career help Rodney Lance run an efficient clean-water plant and work effectively with this team. https://www.tpomag.com/editorial/2022/10/a-military-vet-applies-his-water-background-to-a-prosperous-career-in-the-wastewater-profession
Water sector guidance on workforce development often neglects a simple truth: Most utilities do not have the funds, staff, or pool of potential workers in their communities to justify investments beyond those necessary to meet regulatory requirements. Read the full article in May 2022 Water Environment & Technology.
Gather a random sample of water utility customers from nearly anywhere, and chances are good that they will represent an array of different ages, races, genders, and socioeconomic backgrounds. Gather a random sample of water utility workers, however, and data suggest the range of demographics they represent will shrink dramatically. U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics …
Continue reading “Creating a Workforce as Diverse as Customers”
Keeping the topics and technologies covered in water sector workforce development programs modern is essential. In addition to promoting employee skills, emphasizing technology during training provides a vital investment in community resilience. The goal is to create a workforce that can adapt to the next generation of threats — and opportunities — to better protect …
Continue reading “Future-Proof Facilities Begin With Tech-Savvy Staff”
The Transformative Water Leadership Academy (TWLA) is where the next generation of high-level water utility leaders focus on the foundations of sustainable community leadership: how to integrate social, environmental, and financial concerns into important decisions about water utilities. This 10-month program addresses leadership for drinking water, wastewater, stormwater management, and water reuse. Participants will learn …
Continue reading “Transformative Water Leadership Academy Accepting Applications!”
Reinvigorating the water workforce will require more than public outreach. It will require intentional, proactive planning to connect with potential workers where they live, as well as establishing easily navigable paths between training and career. Read the full article in May 2022 Water Environment & Technology