Workforce challenges utilities face are a key and growing focus for NACWA. Throughout the last year, the Association hosted six virtual Regional Utility Executive Dialogues and workforce issues were consistently identified as a priority. NACWA’s Small & Mid-Size work group also hosted a call in December 2022 on workforce issues, and the Association dedicated its Summer Clean Water Advocate magazine to the topic, featuring interviews with six award-winning utilities that are working to develop and attract new talent to the water sector.
Laying the groundwork for enhanced peer-to-peer connection and advocacy on this issue, NACWA recently launched a dedicated community on its Engage network to discuss workforce and HR issues. Open to all member utility executives and their HR professionals, the group is designed to allow for peer-to-peer information exchange on critical workforce-related issues. Additionally, the Association is currently collecting data from its members on utility tactics and strategies for addressing their top workforce challenges. Building on this priority, NACWA is planning a virtual workforce conference offering for members in December 2023.
NACWA is also working to expand existing federal funding for water workforce-related initiatives at the Nation’s clean water agencies, through advocacy with EPA and the Department of Labor.
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