Workforce Shortage–Steps To Successfully Navigate through the Current Dilemma

Everyone involved with the water and wastewater industry knows that the playing field has changed considerably in recent years. Where operators and plant managers were once accustomed to pens, paper, and manually adjusting controls systems, SCADA has now intervened, and where little education was once required, greater levels of education and training are now essential.This reality of higher-level requirements around operator and plant manager roles is happening in the midst of a rapidly aging workforce. While the recession has impacted the plans of many by delaying retirement plans, the industry has known for several years that this is a significant problem.The key to successfully navigating this dilemma is to recruit a younger and more skilled workforce, in addition to assessing and retaining current staff. With heightened requirements around performing the work, a staffing and succession planning strategy is essential to safeguarding the future of utilities.