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California Nevada Section American Water Works Association

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California Nevada Section American Water Works Association

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

    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. Founded in 1881, AWWA is the authoritative resource on safe water, providing knowledge, information and advocacy to improve the quality and supply of water in North America and beyond. AWWA advances public health, safety and welfare by uniting the efforts of the full spectrum of the water community. Its more than 60,000 members represent the full spectrum of the water community: treatment plant operators and managers, scientists, environmentalists, manufacturers, academicians, regulators, and others who hold genuine interest in water supply and public health. Membership includes more than 4,600 utilities that supply water to roughly 180 million people in North America. Through our collective strength we become better stewards of water for the greatest good of the people and the environment. Founded in 1881, AWWA is the authoritative resource on safe water, providing knowledge, information and advocacy to improve the quality and supply of water in North America and beyond. AWWA advances public health, safety and welfare by uniting the efforts of the full spectrum of the water community. Its more than 60,000 members represent the full spectrum of the water community: treatment plant operators and managers, scientists, environmentalists, manufacturers, academicians, regulators, and others who hold genuine interest in water supply and public health. Membership includes more than 4,600 utilities that supply water to roughly 180 million people in North America. Through our collective strength we become better stewards of water for the greatest good of the people and the environment.

    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 Note: this is a student and faculty audience so I have geared this presentaiton differently Membership helps you stay involved, informed, connected, and competitive. Each AWWA Section is a community.  Through involvement in one of AWWA's 43 sections, water professionals can take advantage of local educational programs, network with peers, influence state or provincial legislation and regulations, and participate in the local and international organization. Note: this is a student and faculty audience so I have geared this presentaiton differently Membership helps you stay involved, informed, connected, and competitive. Each AWWA Section is a community.  Through involvement in one of AWWA's 43 sections, water professionals can take advantage of local educational programs, network with peers, influence state or provincial legislation and regulations, and participate in the local and international organization.

    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 Through involvement in one of AWWA's 43 sections, water professionals can take advantage of local educational programs, network with peers, influence state or provincial legislation and regulations, and participate in the local and international organization. AWWA Career Center. The AWWA Career Center gives you the ability to look at job openings, as well as create and post your resume online. • Scholarships. AWWA offers scholarships to support postgraduate students who have an interest in furthering the science of water. • Networking Opportunities. for students, employers, and young professionals at both the national and local level. Through involvement in one of AWWA's 43 sections, water professionals can take advantage of local educational programs, network with peers, influence state or provincial legislation and regulations, and participate in the local and international organization. AWWA Career Center. The AWWA Career Center gives you the ability to look at job openings, as well as create and post your resume online. • Scholarships. AWWA offers scholarships to support postgraduate students who have an interest in furthering the science of water. • Networking Opportunities. for students, employers, and young professionals at both the national and local level.

    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 Steve, I will defer to you on what you might think is appropriate to include – this is one of the areas Brent asked us to cover…Steve, I will defer to you on what you might think is appropriate to include – this is one of the areas Brent asked us to cover…

    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) Not sure how the current economic climate will impact retirement rates. According to Awwa Research Foundation Report in 2005 – the retiring utility worker has an average of 24 years at the same utility. Utilities face the risk of critical knowledge loss. Not sure how the current economic climate will impact retirement rates. According to Awwa Research Foundation Report in 2005 – the retiring utility worker has an average of 24 years at the same utility. Utilities face the risk of critical knowledge loss.

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

    12. Mission Critical Job Classifications Managers and Executives Water Treatment Operators Collection/Distribution System Operators Engineers Environmental Compliance Specialists Research of 40 utilities across the nation……Research of 40 utilities across the nation……

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

    14. Established by CA NV Section’s Workforce Development Council Led by: Jim Elliot, Park Water Company Chair of Workforce Development Council In response to the growing concerns of our members In response to the growing concerns of our members

    15. Workforce Development Council Purpose 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. A Need to Shift Past and Current Perceptions of the Water Industry 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!

    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 Might ask them what they would like ……….Might ask them what they would like ……….

    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 Steve………Steve………

    26. In Summary, We’re Working on…. 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

    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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