Kicks off workforce development program to lure the next generation of water professionals

Gone are the days at Indiana American Water when on-the-job training was just that.

New hires were assigned to a work unit after a few days of orientation and they had to do everything their supervisor told them to do. It was sink or swim.

Today’s unveiling of the utility’s $2.2 million training center, in downtown Gary, is American Water’s first center in Indiana and marked the kick off for American Water’s “Flow Forward” program. It’s a statewide initiative connecting students with career opportunities in water, wastewater, engineering, technology, operations and skilled trades.

High school students from GEO Academy’s 21st Century Charter School were special guests for a day of activities that included demonstrations, training center tours, and conversations about careers.

They heard Ellis Dumas, Chief of Staff for Gary’s Mayor Eddie Melton, tell how Indiana American Water is a great corporate partner and is helping to make Gary better.

“This training center is the prime example of Indiana American Water saying we are going to do our share to invest in Gary. They are saying that we understand there’s a need to make sure the infrastructure is repaired,” Dumas said. Later, they saw Dumas demonstrate opening and closing a fire hydrant.

Chuck Hughes, President and CEO for the Gary Chamber of Commerce, served 34 years with the Gary Fire Department and paid tribute to the water company.

“You cannot imagine when fires occurred on those 30- and 40-below zero days and firemen had to go in and save your life or your property,” Hughes said. “If a hydrant was frozen, it’s these folks who were de-icing the hydrants, winterizing them to make sure they were operable for firemen.”

The training center site is part of the utility’s northwest Indiana headquarters, at 650 Madison Street and on the grounds of the old Jefferson Elementary School. On the street called American Water Way, stand several structures that are mock ups of customers’ homes.

Students saw a demonstration of IAM construction crews performing a “Long Service Boring.” The crews tapped a main water line to start water service for a newly built home. The crews used excavation equipment and machinery to bore underground and reach the water main on the opposite side of the street, eliminating the need to tear up pavement.

Without the pressure of being in a real life situation, the new hires learn construction methods and become familiar with tools and technologies.

On another part of the site, an area is set up to teach new hires how to work in confined spaces – underground vaults, pits, and tanks.

“This training center will help prepare our workforce for the future,” said Indiana American Water President Barry Suits. “Flow Forward is about passing it on to the next generation of water professionals.”

Suits noted that the water and wastewater sector is facing transitions in the workforce.

“Industry and federal workforce research from the American Water Works Association show that 30-50 percent of our water and wastewater sector workforce is eligible to retire in the next 10 years,” Suits said.

Speaking to the students, he said, “That’s why we are here, to entice you to think about the water and wastewater industry as a potential career path.”

Justin Mount, the Operations Manager for IAM’s Gary facility invited 21st Century students to the celebration. “We have a chance to work with the school to show them what kind of careers exists in their own back yard. Most times kids only know what their parents do,” Mount said.

The school is about two blocks from the utility company.

For Pete Morikus, Executive Director at 21st Century, being included in IAM’s workforce initiative is an opportunity to expose his students to new experiences. “We have culinary, nursing, construction, education, and social services in our Career & Technical Education program. This is an amazing opportunity for them, as young learners, to grow for their own success and their families.