Steve Wilson posted on July 25, 2011 08:51
I was at AWWA's Annual Conference June 12-16 and attended several of the small systems sessions. As has been the case over the last few years, one of the prominent topics revolving around capacity development is the potential shortage of operators.
We All Have To Get Involved
It's not enough to take care of your system and just go about your business. All of us, operators, TA providers, vendors, educators, and state/federal authorities, need to get involved in promoting jobs in water/waste water. Most of us know of an operator who is over 70, who's community/system has no idea what they are going to do when that person moves on/retires.
What You Can Do
There are a number of things you can do. One is to contact your state's operator schools and offer to host an intern. Many of the operator training programs are desperate for on-the job opportunities for their students. Talk to your state folks and TA providers and find out what intern opportunities might be available in your state and offer to help.
It's Time To Open Up Your Plant
After 9/11 many plants closed their doors to schools, youth groups, and other civic organizations. I understand the worry and the need to take safety seriously, but its time to start plant tours again. It was one of the best ways to inform the public, and more importantly, the next generation of potential operators, about the need, benefit, and importance of water and waste water treatment. If we want an informed public, we have to let them in and show them what we do. We have to publicize ourselves, toot our own horns, be proud of what we do, and look ahead to what our systems are going to do when its our turn to pass the responsibility down to the next generation.