Tag Archives: Diversity & Inclusion

Celebrating Women in the Water Workforce

March 17, 2020

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The recipients of the Top 10 Most Influential Women in Water awards stand with the masters of ceremonies at the Women of Water Summit. Pictured are (left to right): Tifphani White-King, Jon Freedman, Eleanor Allen, Nadine Leslie, Karen Sands, Christine Boyle, Karen Pallansch, Sarah Stevenson, Diane VanDe Hei, Adrienne Esposito, Bernadette Sohler, and Debra Coy. Mariah Walters Orose/WEF

Women of Water Summit recognizes female water-sector changemakers Mazars USA (New York City, N.Y.), a financial consultancy active in the water sector, kicked off 2020 by hosting its inaugural Women of Water Summit in Arlington, Va., on Jan. 9. The daylong summit featured industry leaders speaking in nine segments that celebrated outstanding achievements of female […]

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YH2O Youth Mentorship Program Provides Fresh Talent to Baltimore’s Water Workforce

March 6, 2020

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The YH2O Youth Mentorship Program recently won the 2019 City on a Cloud Innovation Challenge hosted by Amazon Web Services (Seattle, Wash.). Winning the challenge, which recognizes new ideas that capitalize on cloud computing to improve lives, will enable the program to add new training courses teaching information technology applications for the water sector. Image courtesy of Baltimore Mayor’s Office of Employment Development

Since launching in 2015, an innovative apprenticeship program developed by the Chesapeake Water Environment Association (CWEA) and the Baltimore Department of Public Works (DPW) has equipped nearly 100 young adults with the skills they need to become successful water professionals. Baltimore’s YH2O Youth Mentorship Program is an intensive, 6-month course for high-school educated Baltimore residents […]

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From the President: Preparing for Tomorrow’s Workforce Challenges

January 13, 2020

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Working in the water sector, I am constantly learning and being challenged by the people around me. Ours is a profession that, at its core, requires working with others to find solutions that make sense for the future.  I love the spirit of cooperativeness that you can find so often behind the fence of a […]

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From the President: Keeping Busy During the Holidays

December 20, 2019

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The holiday season is upon us, and while working people around the world take time off to spend with family and friends, many water professionals will still work around-the-clock providing clean water and a safe environment for their communities to enjoy. The Water Environment Federation (WEF; Alexandria, Va.), too, is keeping busy by laying the […]

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From the President: Supporting Tomorrow’s Water Professionals

November 18, 2019

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According to the Brookings Institution (Washington, D.C.), as much as 50% of the current water workforce in the U.S. will retire within the next 35 years. The water sector must take steps today to ensure the next generation of water professionals can seamlessly take the reins, keep critical water resource recovery facilities running, and confront […]

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EPA Announces New Water Workforce Initiative at WEFTEC 2019

October 31, 2019

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During WEFTEC Technical Session No. 200: Water Policy Update, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Deputy Assistant Administrator for the Office of Water Dennis Lee Forsgren Jr., unveiled America’s Water Workforce Initiative, which will formulate an action plan to attract and preserve talent in U.S. water utilities. Photo courtesy of Oscar & Associates

At WEFTEC 2019 in Chicago, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Deputy Assistant Administrator for the Office of Water Dennis Lee Forsgren Jr., announced a new effort to help American utilities surmount the looming water-sector skills shortage expected in coming years. EPA plans to release a draft of America’s Water Workforce Initiative for public comment by […]

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WEF and AWWA Launch Redesigned Work for Water Website

September 18, 2019

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The new Work for Water website, developed by the Water Environment Federation (WEF; Alexandria, Va.) and the American Water Works Association (AWWA; Denver, Colo.), offers newcomers to the water industry an array of resources to help streamline the job search process. Click here to visit the site.

To streamline the job-seeking process for newcomers and help spread the word about the benefits of water careers, the Water Environment Federation (WEF; Alexandria, Va.) and American Water Works Association (AWWA; Denver, Colo.) partnered to redevelop and relaunch the Work for Water website earlier this summer. The website features an intuitive map that offers state-specific […]

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SDG Position Statement Affirms WEF’s Support for Working Beyond Borders

August 29, 2019

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The Water Environment Federation (Alexandria, Va.)  Board of Trustees has unanimously approved a new position statement in support of the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals. Photo courtesy of the United Nations.

This summer, the Water Environment Federation (WEF; Alexandria, Va.) Board of Trustees unanimously approved a new position statement in support of the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The move emphasizes WEF’s dedication to partnerships and activities that advance the SDGs and the broader water profession. It also recognizes water professionals’ critical value in achieving […]

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