Dominique Collins, PO, is candid about stumbling into the water industry. Chuckling on the phone, she notes that when looking at the City of Washington D.C.’s apprenticeship programs, she happened to see a listing for an apprenticeship with DC Water. “I didn’t know what I was getting into,” she admits, “but I applied.” At the time, it
For National Apprenticeship Week, we have the privilege of spotlighting Shantelle Clarke, PO, and Theron Perry, PO. Apprenticeships are a key component of workforce development and professional growth, particularly as the water and wastewater industry faces increasing challenges. Water Professionals International (WPI) continues to address knowledge gaps not only through recruitment strategies, but also by
For National Volunteer Week, I had the privilege of being able to interview Andrew O’Neill, PO, who has served as a WPI volunteer for over a decade, including as our C2EP Wastewater Treatment Operations Commissioner. Recently, he participated in the first cohort of WPI and The Water Tower’s Excellence in Training Certificate. Throughout his years
Our interview begins with Tim Runde, PO, Treatment Manager at the Des Moines Wastewater Reclamation Facility, smiling apologetically as he gestures towards his phone, telling me that he may get a notification as we chat, as he never turns it off. This brief reminder encapsulates Tim’s work ethic. For the Treatment Manager at a large
Published in Municipal Water Leader. “[The PO] certification has helped me tremendously and has allowed me to become a recognized name within the industry for the dedication and hard work that both DC Water and I demonstrate in protecting our community. Gregory’s Path to the Water Industry Gregory Stephens, PO, notes that his career is
In June, WPI launched our Professional Operator (PO) Campaign to encourage qualified operators to participate in our PO Program. WPI aimed to design a campaign reflective of an essential trait of the PO program: by operators, for operators. Our launch invited operators to nominate peers that they felt stood out from the crowd. Our team
Recognizing Excellence in the Water Industry Summer is in full swing, and the WPI team has been active on both the international and regional stages with events that celebrate the spirit of professional growth and global collaboration. Most recently, that included two inspiring Professional Operator (PO) pinning ceremonies—the first of which took place in the
In 2014, WPI (then ABC) launched the Professional Operator (PO) program—an industry-driven certification that has gained national and international recognition as a gold standard. Designed without borders, the PO certification empowers individuals anywhere in the world to earn their designation on demand. Today, its framework serves as a model for global environmental certification programs—and its