This week’s episode of “WisBusiness: the Podcast” is with Dean Amhaus, president and CEO of the Water Council.
He discusses the recently announced Water & Wastewater Workforce Center in Milwaukee, led by the Water Council and Veolia North America. The effort aims to develop the water industry workforce and talent pipeline, with an emphasis on training and education as well as diversity.
Amhaus explains the wastewater and water technology labor force is aging, putting increased pressure on efforts to address workforce challenges in this area.
“It’s not just utilities, it’s companies like Veolia North America and engineering firms, and a host of others are looking to be able to grow the workforce for their employees, but also to be able to grow the interest and grow more diversity in the workforce as well,” he said.
He says the water sector is “a great space to start working in,” adding it’s one of the industries that will be “around forever.”
“Businesses come and go and technologies advance here and there, but one thing that we can be assured of is that in the water and again, wastewater business, there will be a continuity of great opportunities,” he said.
Because the sector is so broad, Amhaus notes a wide range of skills and backgrounds will be needed to support further development and advancement in this space.
The interview also touches on the related Water + Energy Forward Engine consortium, led by the Water Council, which is seeking $160 million in funding to develop a regional innovation engine focused on both water and energy technologies. Amhaus shares details on the path ahead for this effort.
“When you start looking at that space and dealing with water, there is a great connection between that water and energy nexus,” he said. “One needs the other as well, and you can’t separate them.”
Listen to the podcast below, sponsored by UW-Madison:
Check out a previous episode with Amhaus.
