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Ten steps to building a 21st Century water workforce - v.18

The presentation discusses the need to build a modern water workforce and the importance of branding, safety, and community engagement within public water utilities. It emphasizes the significance of continuous improvement, competitive working conditions, and the value of pride in one's work to attract and retain skilled employees. Additionally, the document highlights the necessity of reaching young people and enhancing the visibility of the water profession to ensure its relevance and appeal.

Government & Nonprofit◦
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Workforce Development•
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Building a 21st Century Water Workforce Brian Gongol DJ Gongol & Associates, Inc. January 25, 2023 NWOD/LONM Snowball Conference Kearney, Nebraska
The "South Park" conundrum, part 1 "South Park" debuted in 1997. An 18-year-old today has an approximate birth year of 2005. Thus, the "South Park" characters were actually 8 years old by the time today's youngest adults were born.
The "South Park" conundrum, part 2 "South Park" debuted in 1997. The characters started the show about age 8, for an approximate birth year of 1989. The median age in the USA in 2021 was 38.8 years, for an approximate birth year of 1982. Real-life Kenny (or Stan or Kyle) is closer to a mid-career change than to just starting out.
Where are all the workers?
1. Opportunities for growth and development
If you're standing still, you're falling behind
2% improvement doubles quality in 35 years
5% improvement doubles in 14 years
Continuous improvement really adds up "Every significant advance I or my company has ever made has been evolutionary rather than revolutionary: small earned steps -- not big lucky hits." - Michael Bloomberg
Don't become Fred the Baker
Do you schedule development time weekly?
Do you have the tools for development?  Books  Laptop  Kindle  WiFi  Cutaways
Fluidity between public and private sectors
2. Social status
Public water: Essential and irreplaceable
You're as critical as the Weather Service
Public water utility is generally a monopoly
Other monopolies: Power company
Other monopolies: Police
Other monopolies: Fire department
Public water is the front line in public health
Public-health protection commands respect
Is it really OK to be invisible?
Are "turd herder" jokes really OK?
Status is earned: Insert yourself in conversation
When water is in the news, share it
Words matter Water isn't wasted, but it is unwell You don't just treat it, you rehabilitate it All water is recycled
Specificity can make a job sound better
Titles matter Specialist Director Team Leader Program Manager Subject-Matter Expert ...all valid titles!
Look to parallel titles in the military What's your rank? vs. What do you do?
And, by the way... Thank you for your service, too
3. Pride in branding
Branding has made taxi driving...cool?
The public is being conditioned to suspicion
Anything/anybody public-facing needs identity
Labeled vehicles
Embroidered shirts and uniforms  Conveys exclusivity  Says "We value your efforts"  Signals membership and belonging
Nothing wrong with personalized choices Most places charge a one-time digitization fee for embroidery, after which each additional piece is quite reasonable
Removable nametags vs embroidery
Participation in parades
Signs on property
If churches can have message signs, you can
Construction signage (Take credit!)
Are you the nicest monopoly in town? "In the regulated utility field [...] Berkshire hopes to be the 'buyer of choice' of regulators." Warren Buffett FY2008 Letter to Shareholders
4. Start young
Labor force demographics
US population pyramid
Nebraska population pyramid
Iowa population pyramid
Sample urban population pyramid (Lincoln)
Sample urban population pyramid (Iowa City)
Sample rural population pyramid (Grant Co.)
Sample rural population pyramid (Ringgold Co.)
Consider unemployment rates
Do you remember Y2K?
Your next hire may have been born after Y2K
What did you want to be when you grew up?
Do young people tour your plant? So what if it's not the Vatican?
Do young people interact with you?
Do you wear your mission "on your sleeve"?
Which career is this for you? (Often it's #2/#3)
5. Competitive working conditions
Is it clean?
Is it safe?
Is it sheltered?
Do you have the right tools?
Do the owners take pride in their assets?
Public facilities reflect community values
If it looks like an afterthought, it probably is Pretty courthouse, right?
Afterthoughts stick out
6. You don't marry a spouse, you marry a family
Everyone wants to please their parents
What would a new hire tell Mom and Dad?
Would you bring kids to the workplace?
Would a spouse like to visit the workplace?
If it's not good enough to show a spouse, is it really good enough?
Get community leaders inside the plant
Entice them with lunch if you have to
7. Good uptime beats bad downtime
25% of your hours are spent at work
Does it look like something's getting done?
Can you automate mindless parts of the job?
Can you outsource low-value parts of the job?
Are you maximizing time on fulfilling work?
Does every day include problem-solving?
8. Your competitive advantage as an employer
Probably isn't pay
Benefits aren't the only thing
Stability
Pride in community service
Status is an untapped human resource in water
It's not good enough to be invisible Out of sight is out of mind
Banish generic trucks & generic logos
Create an identity
Put the mission front and center "Come fly the friendly skies" "We bring good things to life" "Better living through chemistry"
A slogans is free -- you just have to mean it Delivering fire safety and protecting public health 24/7/365
$6 a bottle and it doesn't even fight fire
9. Safety first
Trained in first response
Advertise first aid skills