Northwest Ohio’s Water Workforce Coalition was recognized for its regional leadership and innovation with an award from the National Association of Regional Councils (NARC). NARC presented the 2024 Achievement Award to Toledo Metropolitan Area Council of Governments (TMACOG) staff during a ceremony at its annual conference in Atlanta.
The Water Workforce Coalition is a group of community partners committed to advancing the next generation of water and wastewater utility professionals. The coalition is creating awareness of career opportunities, centered around offering a fast, affordable, and hands-on education.
Water and wastewater workers are essential for communities that provide safe and reliable drinking water and return clean water to the environment through wastewater treatment. More workers are needed in this key labor force, which faces anticipated shortages with many operators in Ohio preparing to retire in the coming years.
Recognizing this regional need, TMACOG partnered with Owens Community College, the City of Toledo, and utility service providers throughout the region, securing a $500,000 grant from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to create a new 16-week Water Treatment Professions Certificate program at Owens that began in January 2024.
An initial class of 21 students who completed the program have begun passing certification exams and pursuing employment opportunities. A second group of students will start this fall, with another scheduled for January 2025.
To learn more about the program, go to www.waterworksforyou.org
“The Water Workforce Coalition is an excellent example of what TMACOG does best. Our team identified an opportunity to bring partners together to pursue funding that allows us to address a crucial need across our region,” said TMACOG Executive Director Sandy Spang.
“Owens Community College is so proud to be the education partner of the Water Workforce Coalition,” said Owens Community College President Dr. Dione D. Somerville. “This program is a wonderful example of a successful collaboration between public and private partners to meet critical industry needs quickly. We look forward to our continued role in training tomorrow’s drinking water and wastewater treatment professionals in Northwest Ohio.”
