Working in unison with its maintenance employees, the District of Columbia Water and Sewer Authority (DCWASA) developed the first-in-the-nation maintenance certification program for the water and wastewater industry. This monumental achievement for five classes of maintenance personnel will forever change how the industry functions and views its diverse workforce.
Shared Commitment
With a strong emphasis on union and employee buy-in throughout the process, DCWASA management and employees shared a vested interest in each step of the program's development. From the initial analyses of work functions and job descriptions, to training modules, and finally the certification exam (developed with and given by the International Maintenance Institute, an independent entity), the project fostered a collaborative top-down/bottom-up planning and execution process.
Pride and Productivity
Net results of this flagship training program are more than just certificates. Instead, it instills a sense of employee pride in work well done, and provides a means to recognize maintenance personnel for the extremely important job they do daily—protect public health. In addition to enhancing staff engagement and boosting morale, the program has resulted in substantial cost savings through a condensed workforce and fewer maintenance outsourcing contracts.
Human Investment Yields Dividends
By training and certifying its maintenance personnel, DCWASA now has a well-trained and efficient workforce. Educating foremen and management through a train-the-trainer program has increased professional understanding between management and laborers and improved productivity. And cross-training maintenance staff with operations staff further strengthens the knowledge mix of all employees. By aligning organizational improvements with capital improvements, DCWASA realized that an investment in a utility's human resources maximizes its return on capital investments.