Posted on 10/20/2019 6:45:28 PM PDT by 2ndDivisionVet
ESSEX JUNCTION — Like many industries in Vermont, water utilities are facing a worker shortage. Many operations specialists at drinking water and wastewater treatment plants across the state are approaching retirement age, and there are not currently enough trained professionals to fill their places.
The Vermont Rural Water Association is spearheading an apprenticeship program to train the next generation of water and wastewater operators in communities throughout Vermont. This program will provide water utilities with the new employees they need as well as providing job training — and an alternative to an expensive college education — to Vermonters.
Operators of drinking water facilities provide safe drinking water to the public, and work to ensure that clean, treated water is released back into the state's rivers, lakes, and groundwater. These water utilities are responsible for protecting the health and safety of Vermont's communities and environment. This is especially important now as the state begins new regulations of contaminants like PFAS and water resources are impacted by climate change.
Vermont Rural Water is currently recruiting qualified candidates for the apprenticeship program. Apprentices must have a minimum of a high school diploma or equivalent. The apprenticeship is a two-year, full-time position, during which apprentices will be paid a salary.
(Excerpt) Read more at reformer.com ...
Precisely, it is like being a nurse. You can write your ticket. The larger utilities require a degree and the science requirements might be daunting for some people.
I wish them luck. Affordable housing is a big problem for folks looking for work in VT.
“Jobs in that field are everywhere once you’re trained. “
Yup. Trade journals for water and skilled trades have been warning for a long time that boomers in those professions would be retiring and there will eventually be shortages.
One of the hats I wore in my last job was Waterworks Manager. I had to get certified by my state my taking a few tests (not particularly difficult, but each took about 4 hr to take).
I can’t remember which law it was that was passed soon after 911, but in one of them was the provision that waterworks operators would legally be considered first-responders. We had to respond to a lot of water emergencies, but it was nothing compared to what firefighters and police are faced with.
What could possibly go wrong... Snicker...
In Florida, it’s one of the certifications state prisoners can get while incarcerated because...what could possibly go wrong?
It’s hardly the only field facing a shortage of workers in VT - plumbers, electricians, welders, competent carpenters, mechanics are all in short supply with few youngsters willing to put in the time and work to learn the trades.
That’s what happens when a third of the population receives several of the 42 separate welfare programs provided by the state.
Schools and society push every child into college, even those who shouldn’t be there.
That would be a good paying job. Vermont is a beautiful state. The only drawback to it the state is run by kooks.
It’s also what happens when schools tell ALL kids they have to go to college or they’ll never get anywhere in life.
They are going to find out, probably too late in many cases, the mistake they made by not training kids in the trades.
I have a friend who’s an auto mechanic and he told me some years ago that a good mechanic these days can pull in 6 figure incomes.
My cousin’s two boys didn’t go to college - they’re both welders and doing quite well.
I can imagine.
Stuff still needs to be fixed and built and there’s only so much a college degree can do for you.
My kids have all finished their masters degrees and are having a hard time finding work in their fields as everyone wants experience and nobody is willing to give it.
The trades give you that experience because there’s nothing like DOING it. A textbook can’t give the experience necessary to develop skills.
I know of two guys who were fired when, after being ordered by their town manager to "fudge" the books, when caught, were fired by the same town manager to save his own butt.
I know of some accountants who were in the same boat.
My friend, who was an accountant, was asked by her boss to do that and she refused so they found someone else.
It cost her future promotions because she wouldn’t cooperate. But it also kept her freedom because when it was found out, SHE wasn’t the one going to jail for it.
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