This paper discusses a study by the American Water Works Association Research Foundation (AwwaRF) and the Water
Environment Research Foundation (WERF) called "Succession Planning
for a Vital Workforce In the Information Age." The study includes an analysis of
workforce demographics and a utility survey. Products developed and pilot tested during
the study include a Workforce Planning Model, Knowledge Capture Methodology,
Curriculum Development, Becoming an Employer of Choice. The reasons for
the study included:
the coming generational change as Baby Boomers retire;
the increasing average age of the workforce;
the concern that utilities are becoming more technologically complex workplaces
requiring more skilled workers;
concerns that the pool of competent replacement workers is becoming more
shallow; and,
concerns that retirements will result in the loss of valuable knowledge.
The study scope included:
an assessment of both national and utility workforce demographics;
identifying future shortfalls in critical and technical skills; and,
providing guidance for creating a succession strategy. A key feature of the study included pilot demonstrations at various utilities that
included:
Howard County, Maryland;
Frederick County, Virginia, Sanitation Authority (FCSA);
Washington Suburban, Maryland, Sanitary Commission (WSSC);
Massachusetts Water Resource Authority; and,
Louisville Water Company.
In performing the study, the following methods were used:
analyzed national workforce demographics;
surveyed utilities for demographics and Human Resources approaches; developed Knowledge Management Toolkit;
developed and successfully piloted Knowledge Capture;
piloted water and wastewater operator training curriculum development; and,
developed a Workforce Planning Model.
| Edition : | Vol. - No. |
| File Size : | 1
file
, 240 KB |
| Note : | This product is unavailable in Ukraine, Russia, Belarus |
| Number of Pages : | 6 |
| Published : | 09/01/2005 |
