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An Advanced Technological Education grant from the National Science Foundation supports the efforts of the Water Training Institute (WTI), developed by the Center for Water Resource Studies (CWRS), as an industry-demand-driven workforce development program. WTI builds on existing linkages with the employment sector (water and wastewater utilities), state primacy agencies, and technical assistance/trade assoications to refine an industry needs driven curriculum that utilitizes on-line course delivery. The current advisory committee is composed of representatives of utilities, state agencies, and trade associations from both Kentucky and Tennessee, with plans for a national presence in the works.
The WTI industry-demand-driven workforce development program will offer a formal education system focused on producing graduates with knowledge and skills relevant to the water and wastewater industry. As such, WTI is developing an on-line Associates degree program in Water Resource Management. The degree program as currently proposed will have three tracks:
- Water Treatment Operations
- Wastewater Treatment Operations
- Water Utility Management
A fourth track in Water/Wastewater Laboratory Technicial Training is being investigated. An internship is required for each track of the degree program to supply students with the necessary hands-on experience that distance learning cannot accommodate. Students will be matched with participating utilities near their homes. In addition, the WTI program is exploring the option of Certificate programs in each of the tracks. The Certificate programs will be composed of the specific industry related courses incorportated into the Associate degree.
The WTI industry-demand-driven workforce development program is bridging the traditionally separate policy domains of education, labor, and economic development, by developing both utility and mentoring networks to support WTI students. UNET (Utility Network) allows students supervised access to water and wastewater treatment facilities and collection/distribution systems. The utilities involved in the UNET program provide training in specific treatment and laboratory processes and operations, as well as developing scholarships for WTI students. EYORE (Encouraging Young Operators with Retired Experience) is a volunteer mentoring network. EYORE will allow students to explore their potential and acquaint themselves with the industry, in addition to making valuable contacts in the industry and increasing their technical abilities. As with most industry-demand-driven workforce development programs, the efforts of the WTI program are characterized by on-going communciation and continual feedback among employers, works, educators, and government.
Industry-demand-driven workforce development programs work on both the supply and demand side of the labor market. On the demand side, the WTI program will help employers find qualified workers, retain qualified workers, and increase the skills of qualified workers to make them more effective in the workplace. On the supply side, the WTI program will increase the knowledge of the future and current workforce in ways that are relevant to both the short- and long-term economic needs and priorities of the industry. In addition, industry-demand-driven workforce development programs enable lifelong learning and advancement, by raising expectations, enhancing self-esteem, and enhancing career advancement potential.