MULTI-AGENCYOPERATOR TRAINING

PROGRAM

Douglas J. CraigBay Area Clean Water Agencies

Annual MeetingJanuary 24, 2008

DEMAND FOR WATER/WASTEWATER

OPERATORS

• 50 percent of operators to retire in seven to ten years.

• 5,220 certified wastewater operators in California

• Twice as many water treatment operators as wastewater operators

RECRUITMENT CHALLENGES

• Limited awareness of job opportunities

• No “pool” of operators to draw from

• Time requirements to advance – difficult to replace Grade IV and Grade V operators

• “Stealing” operators from other agencies does not solve the problem

CURRENT TRAININGOPPORTUNITIES

• Regional Occupational Programs (ROP)

• Limited accredited community college curriculums – one in Northern California

MULTI-AGENCY APPROACH

• Provide contract education classes at other locations

• Contract between Bay Area Clean Water Agencies (BACWA) and Solano Community College

• Offer at least three accredited classes per semester

• Advertise opportunities to promote interest Press releases Website postings High school and Regional Occupational Program California Water Environment Association (CWEA)

website

PROGRAM GOALS• Expand the awareness of job opportunities as a

water or wastewater operator

• Develop a pool of operator candidates to replace retiring operators

• Advance the education of existing operators and potential operator candidates

28½ credits for Certificate of Achievement in Water/ Wastewater

60 credits for Associate of Science Degree from Solano Community College

AGENCY PARTICIPATION

• Central Contra Costa Sanitary District

• Contra Costa Water District

• Delta Diablo Sanitation District

• Diablo Water District• Dublin San Ramon

Services District• East Bay Municipal

Utility District

• City of Livermore • Mountain View

Sanitary District• Oro Loma Sanitary

District • Rodeo Sanitary District• West County

Wastewater District• Union Sanitary District• Zone 7 Water Agency

ISSUES WITH CONTRACT EDUCATION

• Classes offered in Contra Costa County

• Community colleges in Contra Costa County must approve an agreement with Solano Community College

• Agreement must be repeated each semester

• Similar agreement required with other counties

CLASSES OFFERED

WATER 100 Introduction to Water and Wastewater Treatment

WATER 104 Introduction to Water Supply and Treatment

WATER 105 Wastewater Treatment

WATER 106 Instrument and Controls

WATER 107 Mathematics of Water and Wastewater Treatment

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Solano Community College provides books, teachers’ salaries, and college accreditation

• Multi-agencies provide class location, student recruitment activities, course fees, and teacher selection

ADVERTISEMENT AND PROMOTION

• Radio and newspaper announcements of the classes

• Developed and distributed a brochure

• Websites

• High school and Regional Occupational Program mailings

• Word of mouth

CONTRACT EDUCATIONCOSTS

• $12,000 per semester class

• No charge to students

• Administrative efforts and advertisements contributed by agencies

AGENCY PARTICIPATION COSTS(PER SEMESTER)

• < 5 MGD $1,500

• 5-10 MGD $4,000

• > 10 MGD $6,000

RESULTS OF FIRSTSEMESTER

• 61 students in three classes offered at Central Contra Costa Sanitary District

• Teacher ratings were high

• Student pass rate was 98 percent

• 3 students have accepted permanent positions

RESULTS OF SECONDSEMESTER

• There are 110 students in four classes; 3 classes at Central Contra Costa Sanitary District and 1 class at West County Sanitary District

• 25 repeat or continuing students

LESSONS LEARNED

• Administering contract education and coordinating with the college can be challenging

• Ensure students are committed through teacher contact

• Start early advertising, recruiting, and coordinating with community colleges

• Student must enroll in the community college and register at site of class, which can be confusing if brochure is not read carefully

WHERE DO WE GOFROM HERE?

• Continue to offer classes in multiple locations

• Encourage other community colleges to add water/wastewater curriculum

• Continue to provide the opportunities for a career in water/wastewater operations

• Evaluate program effectiveness and revise, as necessary

MULTI-AGENCY REQUESTS

• If you are interested in being a teacher, let us know

• If you are interested in joining the multi-agency training program, let us know