Contributor: AWWA
As the water sector faces significant challenges in building and optimizing the workforce, utility leaders and other professionals from across North America will discuss the challenges and opportunities at a symposium in Washington, D.C. on August 8-9.
A report from The Brookings Institute found that over 50 percent of water professionals are eligible to retire from their jobs within the next three to five years. Brookings also reported that the water workforce lacks gender and racial diversity. Additionally, the water sector must address the digital transformation that is underway and ensure that workers have skills for the 21st century.
The Transformative Issues Symposium on Workforce, co-hosted by the American Water Works Association (AWWA) and the Water Environment Federation (WEF), will feature presentations by workforce experts and will engage attendees in discussions to help foster the exchange of ideas on this critical issue for utilities.
Session topics include forging partnerships with community organizations, implications of digital water on the workforce, building interest among young people in water careers, innovative recruitment and handling organizational change.
When: August 8-9, 2019
Where: Hyatt Regency Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C.
Media RSVP: Contact Travis Loop at tloop@wef.org or Greg Kail at gkail@awwa.org.
Visit the symposium website for more information about the conference, including the program and registration.
About WEF
The Water Environment Federation (WEF) is a not-for-profit technical and educational organization of 34,000 individual members and 75 affiliated Member Associations representing water quality professionals around the world. Since 1928, WEF and its members have protected public health and the environment. As a global water sector leader, our mission is to connect water professionals; enrich the expertise of water professionals; increase the awareness of the impact and value of water; and provide a platform for water sector innovation. To learn more, visit www.wef.org.
About AWWA
Established in 1881, the American Water Works Association is the largest nonprofit, scientific and educational association dedicated to managing and treating water, the world’s most important resource. With approximately 51,000 members, AWWA provides solutions to improve public health, protect the environment, strengthen the economy and enhance our quality of life.
