Water/Wastewater Utilities Treatment and Technology (WUTT) Program Update
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newly created water and wastewater training and education training program is underway at St. Paul College. This program was created, in part, due to the immediate and long-term need to hire qualified and competent water/ wastewater professionals. The need for candidates is growing due to the increased number of job openings relating to retirements. Endorsed by the MN Health Department (MDH) and the MN Pollution Control Agency (MPCA), the Water Wastewater Utility Treatment and Technology (WUTT) program provides students with a water/wastewater-focused education and training opportunity. The WUTT program provides the following benefits: • Provides training for people on the basic water distribution, water treatment, wastewater collection, and wastewater treatment. Also provides supplemental training for working water/wastewater professionals. • Provides a college training facility that is centrally located. The college is located on the bus line, near the LRT, convenient vehicle parking. • Offers an improved set of options in the course schedule. The program
schedule provides more flexibility, such as: online, nights. • Offers more diversity. The program is focused marketing aimed for all potential students. This focus includes people of all backgrounds, genders, economic status. Partnerships between the Advisory Board, the College, counties and non-profits allow an expanded network for recruitment opportunities. • Hands-on experience in the laboratory and in the field. Centrally located in the metro area provides greater access to partnering agencies such as the City of St Paul Regional Water, City of Minneapolis, and others. • Provides a career pathway, with curriculum, that meets the needs of cities and other agencies for their continuous and critical hiring needs. Students who successfully complete the WUTT program and pass the Water D and/or Wastewater D examination will become certified Operators. Cities will have their needs employment needs addressed and fulfilled, once again. Overall, the WUTT program is an innovative, relevant, and vital career pathway for people new to the water/ wastewater industry, as well as a training option for current industry professionals.
Students and water/wastewater agencies will also benefit greatly from this program. Next Cohort Begins Two cohorts are underway. The goal is to begin another one in March 2022. WUTT Advisory Chairperson, Carol Kaszynski states, “a new cohort will begin if eight students register.” Kaszynski is hopeful people will share the information of the WUTT program with friends, family members, peers, etc. Donation Requests The WUTT program is always seeking donations of materials, equipment, parts. If you are able to contribute, please contact Steve Grossman, City of Lakeville, at sgrossman@lakevillemn.gov. Financial support of the WUTT program is also needed. As a non-profit, the WUTT program seeks funds to support students with conference registration, travel arrangements and scholarships. If you are interested and would like additional information or details, please contact the MN WUTT Advisory Board Chairperson Carol Kaszynski at carol. kaszynski@ci.stpaul.mn.us. Thank you! •
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