The Water Training Institute at WKU

Jana FatticCenter for Water Resource Studies

Western Kentucky University

Dilbert

State of the Industry• Increased need for critical thinking skills• More technical Federal regulations• Increased expectations in occupational

and professional competencies

• More complex treatment processes• New technologies• Increased automation

• Need to elevate perception of operators and their importance

NRWA Quotes“Utilities and other companies in the water

industry are facing an impending mass exodus of senior workers the likes of which has never before been seen.”

“The incoming workforce generation is small, and coupled with their high turnover rate and transient nature, means a shrinking pool of replacements and increased competition for those employees.”

AWWA State of the Water Industry Report, 2012

AWWA State of theIndustry Report, 2009

“As the industry becomes more complex, there is a lack of quality people entering the

field.”

Water SectorCompetency Model

Tier 2: Academics

Higher Education• Rural education issues• Cost• Transportation• Lack of emphasis

• Community Colleges• Less expensive• Closer to home• Credits transferrable

Nationwide Opportunity• Research on water technology

programs at community colleges

• Over 40 CCs nationwide offer 2-year degrees• Websites with curriculum• Most face-to-face; some on-line

Community Colleges with 2-Year Water Degrees

ATEECAdvanced Technology Environmental & Energy Center

Resource center funded by NSF ATE to provide:

• Professional development

• Program improvement

• Curriculum design

• Instructional materials development

• Online resources clearinghouse

ATEECMission - To advance environmental and energy technology education through curriculum development, professional development and program improvement.

Vision - To foster a network of educational communities, supported through public and private partnerships, that ensures human health, safety, and global sustainability.

Water Defining WorkshopApproximately 20 SMEs with over 600 years of

combined experience in the water industry

Brainstorming session to define: Job titles Job functions

Workshop Outcomes

Field: Water Environment Management

Name: Water ProfessionalDuties: Too Many to List!

Water Training Institute

Core Concepts

Partners

• Training Providers

• Secondary Schools

• Higher Education

• Industry/Employers

• Regulatory Agencies

• Trade Associations

Problem Statement• Operator certification requires

education and on-the-job experience

• Workforce needs (treatment plants) in rural areas

• Too dispersed to justify development of degree program at local institution

Rural Populations

Treatment Plant Capacity

“The effects of the retiring Baby Boomer generation have been

exacerbated in the water industry. Competition for employees entering

the workforce from colleges and trade schools is fierce.”

American Water Works Association

State of the Industry Report, 2008

Significance•Water treatment crucial to:• rural economic development• public and environmental health

• Growing industry: 15,000 jobs being created in the next 10 years

• Baby Boomers: 50% of operators will retire in next 7 years

Motivating Rationale

Water Training Institute• 2-year Degree Program • On-line courses; hands-on internship• Associate of Science in Water

Resource Management• New and existing operators• Can transfer into Bachelors• Certificate Program• Continuing Education Units (CEUs)

Degree Program

60 Hours of Academic Credit 15 Hours – General Education 21 Hours – Science Core 24 Hours – Concentration-Specific 3 Concentrations

Water Operations Wastewater Operations Water Utility Management

General EducationENG100: Intro to College Writing

PS110: American National Government 

MATH116: College Algebra

Category B: Humanities Elective

Category C: Social & Behavioral Science Elective

Science CoreBIOL113: General Biology

BIOL207: General Microbiology

CHEM101: Intro to Chemistry

ENV280: Intro to Environmental Sciences

MATH117:  Trigonometry

GEOG100: Intro to Physical Environment

PHYS101: Concepts of Motion

Concentration-SpecificDrinking Water Operations Track

WTTI 200: Water Supply & Wastewater Control  

WTTI 210: Intro to Water Treatment

WTTI 212: Water Distribution and Wastewater Collection 

WTTI 220: Calculations & Hydraulics for Water

WTTI 222: Water & Wastewater Instrumentation & Control

WTTI 226: Water Chemistry

WTTI 230: Advanced Water Treatment

WTTI 291: Internship: Utility Operations

Concentration-SpecificWastewater Operations Track

WTTI 200: Water Supply & Wastewater Control  

WTTI 211: Intro to Wastewater Treatment  

WTTI 212: Water Distribution and Wastewater Collection  

WTTI 221: Calculations & Hydraulics for Wastewater  

WTTI 222: Water & Wastewater Instrumentation & Control

WTTI 226: Water Chemistry

WTTI 231: Advanced Wastewater Treatment

WTTI 291: Internship: Utility Operations

How?Hybrid Experiential & Distance Learning

Educational Model (HEDLEM)

Hands-on requirement Internships with local utilities

Geographically dispersed needOn-line classes and forums

Distance Learning• Can include mail, video, Internet

• Internet pros• Availability rapidly increasing• Access to multiple electronic learning resources• No travel required• Convenient

• Internet cons• Infrastructure required• Must pay for access• Must have a computer• Lack of hands-on experiences

Experiential LearningPros:• Increases employability• Higher pay/responsibility• Increases job satisfaction

Cons:• Requires access to physical resources• May require travel• Security/safety issues

Hybrid Experiential and Distance Learning Educational Model

• Educational component > online

• Hands-on component > local utility• On-the-job training

• Issues• Internet access• Sufficient workforce recruitment pool• Distance to experiential location

Industry LinkagesProgrammatic Direction – driven

by practitionersSteering Committee

Employment Sector – DW/WW utilitiesTrade Associations – local TAs linked to

national organizationsState Primacy AgenciesEducators – WKU, Community Colleges,

Training Providers

Utility Network (UNet)Local point of presence for

students

Provide access to local facilities

Internships

Utility Network

The Subversive End: Change the EMPLOYER’s Mindset!

Mentor NetworkOn-line network of experienced

water professionalsParticipate in discussion forumsProvide expertise to educatorsGive career guidance to students

Mentor Network

Student IncentivesInternships

One college credit hour for every 80 hrs of supervised work-based experience

Employer must complete student evaluation form

ScholarshipsTrade AssociationsUtilities – tuition reimbursement

Student Incentives (cont’d.)

On-line coursesMoving toward independent learningFlexible for existing operators

Discussion Forums

Modularization – short courses by TA providers8 hr short course ~ 0.5 academic credit

hourMust have assessment tool (quiz)

CEU Articulation

KY/TN AWWA Water Treatment Distribution

KRWA Utility Management 101 Utility Organization, Regulation & Law

KWWOA Wastewater Treatment Water Treatment & Distribution

TAUD Disinfection and Disinfection Alternatives Gravity Media Filter Optimization

Instructor Credentials

Content Equivalency

Student Assessment

The Role of WTI

Associate:

Water ResourceManagement

Bachelor:

Technology Mgmtor

Public Admin.

Master:

Technology Mgmt or

Public Admin.

CEO?

CEUsCertifiedOperator

Pathways for Millennials

Certificate inWater Ops

Professional Standards

Example: Engineering Licensure

Water & Wastewater Workforce

Setting the Professional Standard

Evolving a National Center of Excellence

National ReplicationModel can be extrapolated to other disciplines

Laboratory TechnicianStormwater ManagementEnergy ManagementResource Conservation

Model can be franchised to other educational institutions/ training providersContent onlyContent and instruction

Conclusion• More well-trained operators needed

throughout the country

• Many educational opportunities for operators, even in rural areas

• Existing professionals can act as instructors and/or mentors

• Meet the needs of rural water systems and job-seekers in those areas

It’s a Win-Win!Students• Learn theory and application• On-the-Job training• Competitive edge• Scholarships from trade associations• Tuition reimbursement by utilities• Existing operators receive CEUs

Utilities/Internship Providers• Get to ‘test-drive’ students• Get an extra set of hands

Dilbert

Thank You!

Questions?

Jana Fattic

jana.fattic@wku.edu

270-745-8706