What is The Operators’ Initiative and Why is it Important? Steve Soltau Every industry understands that preparing, training, and maintaining a labor force is essential to its success and growth. Now, more than
ever, utilities are struggling to fill treatment plant workforce vacancies and are looking to local high school academies to fuel the drive to train their next generation of workers. Three years after the first academy began teaching coursework certified by the state of Florida, the Florida Section American Water
Works Association (FSAWWA) recognized this need, and in 2016, established the Operators’ Initiative.
Initiative Goals The goals of the Operator’s Initiative are to: S U nderstand and communicate the need for water utility professionals S S upport the development of new operators S D evelop awareness of opportunities within the water and wastewater industry The FSAWWA partners with Florida high school academies to provide their students with coursework approved by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) for drinking water and wastewater operator Class C and/or Class D licensing. The students are then eligible to take the operator’s licensure exam at graduation.
Academy Structures The structures of the academies are as diverse as the students who attend them. S L ake Brantley High School (Altamonte Springs) - 12th grade students spend their senior year working side by side with licensed operators at the facility to complete the coursework and gain valuable, hands-on experience. S S t. John’s Technical High School (St. Continued on page 78
Students at the 2021 FSAWWA Fall Conference.
Staying current with technology.
Paid summer internships are available.
Table 1. Exam Passing Rates
FSAWWA High School Career Academies – FDEP Class C License Exams 2013-2021 Exam Type Drinking Water Wastewater
Total Exams Taken Prior to Graduation 139 55
Passed
1st Retake Exams
46 13
5 4
Passed
2nd Retake Exams
Passed
1 3
2 0
0 -
3rd Retake Exams Passed 1 0
1 -
Licenses Issued Post Graduation 7 4
Note that although there are currently four academies, they did not all start in 2013. 194 exams adminstered with ~31 percent pass rate (48 percent statewide). 11 Class C FDEP licesnses issued.
76 July 2022 • Florida Water Resources Journal
