중남부 코네티컷 지역수자원국(RWA, South Central Connecticut Regional Water Authority)의 국장 Larry Bingaman은 최근 남부 코네티컷주립대학(SCSU) 학장 Mary Papazian 및 게이트웨이대학 학장 Dorsey Kendrick과 함께 뉴잉그랜드 시설 노동자의 니즈를 충족하기 위해 협약을 맺고, 공공시설 관리 학위 및 인증 프로그램을 제공하기로 했다고 밝혔다.

RWA의 자문에 따라 SCSU와 게이트웨이대학은 시설관리 및 기술 업무를 훈련시키기 위한 교육 과정을 신설했다.

 

 

 

Larry Bingaman, president and CEO of the South Central Connecticut Regional Water Authority (RWA), along with Southern Connecticut State University (SCSU) President Dr. Mary Papazian and Gateway Community College President Dorsey Kendrick, recently announced that their collaboration to meet New England utility workforce needs has resulted in unique public utility management degree and certification programs. 

 

With advisement by the RWA, SCSU and Gateway have created an educational pathway to train students to fill projected utility managerial and technical job openings. Beginning next fall, SCSU will offer a specialization in public utility management within its Bachelor of Science in Business Administration degree program, and Gateway will provide a certificate and an Associate’s degree in public utility management.

 

“These programs, thought to be the first in the nation, were developed in direct response to the region’s public utility workforce needs,” Bingaman said. “While New England’s public utility challenges include an aging workforce, looming retirements, aging infrastructure, reduced water usage due to conservation measures and additional regulations, we know these challenges are not unique to our region. These degree programs will be beneficial in training highly qualified individuals to fill anticipated openings nationwide.”

 

In Connecticut, the regional utility companies are anticipating that, within five years, nearly one-third or more of their workforce will be eligible to retire, and nearly two-thirds of utility management executives are approaching eligibility within the same timeframe.

 

“It has been a privilege to partner with these two esteemed higher-education institutions,” Bingaman said. “Their unwavering commitment to meeting the region’s workforce needs is evident. We look forward to employing future program graduates.”

 

The specialization offered by SCSU will include 30 credits that focus on management of public utilities such as water, gas, electric and wastewater. New courses in crisis and risk management, green energy and environmental sustainability, workforce safety and industry regulatory codes will also be offered.

 

[출처 = Water World / 2105년 12월 22일]