What is the Operators’ Initiative and Why is it

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.

Students at the 2021 FSAWWA Fall Conference.

Initiative Goals

The goals of the Operator’s Initiative are to: S Understand and communicate the need for water utility professionals S Support the development of new operators S Develop 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 Lake 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 St. John’s Technical High School (St. Continued on page 78

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 Total Exams Taken Prior to Graduation Passed

1st Retake Exams Passed 2nd Retake Exams Passed

3rd Retake Exams Passed Licenses Issued Post Graduation

Drinking Water 139 46 5 1 2 0 1 1 7 Wastewater 55 13 4 3 0 - 0 - 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.