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Developing our Workforce: The Future of the Water Industry Steve Dennis CA NV AWWA Board Trustee

Developing our Workforce: The Future of the Water Industry Steve Dennis CA NV AWWA Board Trustee January 2009. Today’s Presentation. American Water Works Association (AWWA) CA NV Section (CA NV AWWA) New and Emerging Issues in the Industry Workforce Needs

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Developing our Workforce: The Future of the Water Industry Steve Dennis CA NV AWWA Board Trustee

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  1. Developing our Workforce: The Future of the Water Industry Steve Dennis CA NV AWWA Board Trustee January 2009

  2. Today’s Presentation • American Water Works Association (AWWA) • CA NV Section (CA NV AWWA) • New and Emerging Issues in the Industry • Workforce Needs • CA NV AWWA Workforce Initiative • Other Current Efforts of the CA NV Section • Ideas for Collaboration with Academia

  3. AWWA is an international nonprofit and educational society and the largest and oldest organization of water professionals in the world.

  4. Value of AWWA Membership • Professional development • Direct connection with current issues • Technical and professional resources • AWWA Journal, AWWA Bookstore, AWWA Water Research Foundation, • Leadership opportunities • Conferences and education • California Nevada Section of AWWA

  5. Largest AWWA Section Membership • 8,000 Members • Two Conferences per Year • Six Divisions • Forty-Five Committees • Water College Educational Offerings • Current Issue Topics and Industry Information Transfer • Symposiums, Teleconferences, Workshops

  6. Opportunities Through Involvement with CA NV AWWA • Career Development – Local, Nationally • Networking, Contacts • Industry Specific Training • AWWA Career Center • CA-NV AWWA H2O Jobs – Online Posting • Conferences, Training • Young Professionals Committee • Scholarships • Access industry information and contacts

  7. New and Emerging Issues and Challenges in the Water Industry Today • Workforce Shortage – Current and Future • Aging workforce • Knowledge transfer • Recruitment and retention • Source Water Shortage • Water Conservation • Energy Management • Sustainable use • Aging Infrastructure • Emergency Response Planning and Preparedness • Water System Security

  8. A Matter of Perspective…(Gardner Quote #1) • "What we have before us are some breathtaking opportunities disguised as insoluble problems." - John Gardner

  9. Workforce Needs • Expected Retirement/Loss of Current Utility Classifications over the Next 5 Years • Executives and Managers: approx. 33% • Operators: approx. 25% • Engineers: approx. 15% AWWA “State of the Industry Report” (Mann and Runge, 2008)

  10. Key Contributing Factors / Issues • Aging Workforce • Baby Boomers set to retire • The “Silver Tsunami” • Knowledge Retention / Transfer • Retiring utility workers have an average of 24 years at the same utility • Recruitment Hurdles • Changing industry career perceptions

  11. Utility Workers Older Than Workers in Other US Industries AwwaRF Study on Workforce 2008

  12. Mission Critical Job Classifications • Managers and Executives • Water Treatment Operators • Collection/Distribution System Operators • Engineers • Environmental Compliance Specialists

  13. Operational Functions At Risk • Water Delivery Reliability • Customer Service • Environmental Stewardship • Safety • Security • Emergency Response

  14. Workforce Development Initiative – Who, What, Why and How… • Established by CA NV Section’s Workforce Development Council • Led by: Jim Elliot, Park Water CompanyChair of Workforce Development Council

  15. Workforce Development CouncilPurpose To develop options for supporting the water industry’s training and recruitment needs. To attract high performance employees.

  16. To Promote Value of Human Capital and Infrastructure in the Water Industry…

  17. It’s a dirty job that has to be done We’re a backwards low-tech industry We’re forced to meet regulations We are an employer of last resort Young workers are not interested We are stewards of the environment We are an advanced process, high tech industry Our regulations allow us to protect public health We are an employer of choice Young professionals can make a difference in the water industry! A Need to Shift Past and Current Perceptions of the Water Industry

  18. Something to Remember…(Gardner Quote #2) • "The society that scorns excellence in plumbing because plumbing is a humble activity and tolerates shoddiness in philosophy because it is an exalted activity will have neither good plumbing nor good philosophy. Neither its pipes nor its theories will hold water." - John Gardner

  19. Workforce Development Initiative – Three Main Components • Workforce Training • Outreach and Recruitment • Apprenticeship – Currently on hold

  20. Workforce Training……… The Section’s role is to serve as the interface between the water Industry and academia.

  21. Workforce Training • Provide Training Through our Water College • Partner with Other Organizations and Educational Institutions • i.e. The UCSC Programs • Serve as a Clearinghouse for Industry Training Opportunities

  22. Outreach and Recruitment • Promote the Water Industry as an Opportunity for a Important and Rewarding Profession • Partner with Workforce Related Organizations • Work with Universities and Community Colleges in CA and NV • Leverage Relations with other Professional Organizations • Association of California Water Agencies

  23. Additional Efforts by CA NV AWWA: Workforce Roundtables Series • Hollywood, April 2008 • Reno, October 2008 • Santa Clara, April 2009 • Las Vegas, October 2009

  24. Water Fairs at Section Conferences- Engaging the Next Generation of Water Industry Professionals • Hosted Two Water Fairs in 2008 • Water Fairs are planned for 2009 (for high school and university students) • Multiple Venues – Hands on activities and speakers

  25. Some Specific Challenges, Technical and Policy Issues: • Source Water Planning • Drought • Environmental Impacts • Invasive Mussels • AB 32 Requirements • GHG Reduction • Sustainability • Disaster Preparedness and Business Continuity • Earthquake • Fire • Aging Infrastructure • Security

  26. Establishing partnerships with Academia Website resources on workforce planning and careers Establish partnerships with utilities in Bay Area Participating in AWWA’s Workforce Strategies Committee Utilize and develop materials on Careers in the Water industry Providing training and resources to individuals interested in entering the water industry In Summary, We’re Working on….

  27. Together, We Can Leverage the Opportunities:Ideas for Collaboration Between Industry and Academia • Create linkages with faculty regarding curriculum and industry specific issues • Establish and promote relationships with CA NV AWWA Young Professionals • Confer with CA NV AWWA utility leaders to create internships • Bridge the gap with utilities and agencies in mission critical areas • Collaborate on training needs, industry standards and applied research for knowledge management • CA NV AWWA is open to all ideas and opportunities to partner with you!

  28. For more information: Jim Elliot Chair, Workforce Development Council jim@parkwater.com Dawne Baker Director of Education and Workforce Development 909-481-2116 dbaker@ca-nv-awwa.org Steve Dennis CA NV AWWA Board Trustee steve.dennis@acwd.com

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