AWWA ACE58251

The last decade of the 20th century was a period of staffing reductions as utilities pursueda variety of competitiveness programs. Surveys of the wastewater industry showedthat these utilities reduced unit staffing levels by 30% from 1990 to 1999 (source: AMSAsurveys of 1990, 1993, 1996 and 1999). Anecdotal evidence indicates that similarreductions were achieved by water utilities during that same time period.The events of 9/11 caused the industry to expend a substantial effort on security issues.However, there is a coming worker demographic wave that will substantially change thenature of the utility workforce. Management's challenge will be to manage the departureof the Baby Boomers and manage the training of their replacements who will need adifferent set of skills to succeed in the higher tech utility of the future. An American Water Works Association Research Foundation (AWWARF) study(Succession Planning For A Vital Workforce In The Information Age), for which theauthor is the principal analyst, has recently been awarded to study this issue as it affectsthe water and wastewater utility industry. This study is also co-funded by the WaterEnvironment Research Foundation.

Product Details

Edition:

Vol. - No.

Published:

06/15/2003

Number of Pages:

6

File Size:

1 file , 230 KB