MN Training | Strengthening Minnesota Small Systems Through Collaboration and Workforce Planning
Description: Join us for an interactive virtual workshop and peer roundtable discussion focused on practical and collaborative approaches to strengthening Minnesota’s water workforce. Participants will share their experiences and explore strategies for recruitment, retention, succession planning, and knowledge transfer, with a special focus on workforce sharing, regional partnerships, and other collaborative solutions for small systems. Through facilitated discussion and peer learning, participants will have opportunities to share what is working, troubleshoot common challenges, and learn from systems across the state.
Learning Objectives:
- Identify key workforce challenges impacting small and rural water and wastewater systems in Minnesota
- Explore practical strategies to strengthen recruitment, retention, succession planning, and staff development
- Discuss collaborative approaches, including workforce sharing and regional partnerships, to address staffing challenges
- Exchange experiences, solutions, and lessons learned with peers from across Minnesota
Instructors: Averi Davis, Program Manager, and Susan McGrattan P.E., Technical Specialist, Syracuse University Environmental Finance Center
Certificates: This training is currently pending approval for continuing education credits, although we cannot guarantee it. Regardless, we will send a Certificate of Attendance to all qualifying attendees for their personal record.
Who Should Attend:
- Managers, owners, and operators of water systems serving less than 10,000 people, or wastewater systems with an average daily flow of less than 1 million gallons
- Decision-makers for water and wastewater utilities, including mayors, finance officers, utility managers, public works directors, city councilors, board members, tribal council members, and clerks
- Consultants and technical assistance providers serving water and wastewater systems
Partner:
Organizer
Program Associate at the Syracuse University Environmental Finance Center