Promoting Entry to Career Pathways in the Drinking Water and Wastewater Sector A Report by Madeline Snow Lowell Center for Sustainable Production Lowell Center for Sustainable Production University of Massachusetts Lowell University of Massachusetts Lowell and The Massachusetts Workforce Alliance Deborah Mutschler Massachusetts Workforce Alliance M A y 2012 Funded by: “Maintaining a well-trained, high caliber workforce is essential but no small challenge in the era of tight budgets, increasingly sophisticated facilities, under-appreciation of the industry and profession, and graying of staff.” —New England Interstate Water Pollution Control Commission, special edition, Keeping the Plants in Good Hands, Interstate Water Report, January 2005 “Everyone’s time and resources are limited, but if each of us “does our part” in our professional spheres of influence, we can recruit, develop and retain a competent, motivated, professional workforce to ensure a bright future for the drinking water and wastewater professions.” —Chip Mackey, New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services, former Chair of NEWWA’s Operator Certification Committee, and Incoming President of the Association of Boards of Certification SkillWorks Program Officer Patricia Maguire Authors Madeline Snow Lowell Center for Sustainable Production, University of Massachusetts Lowell
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[email protected] Table of Contents Executive Summary 1 I. Introduction 2 II. Overview of Issues 3 Aging Infrastructure