19473_Authority_Oct-opt

municipalauthorities.org │ 2 7 C REATING A W ORKFORCE P IPELINE : F ROM I NTERNS TO I NDUSTRY P ROFESSIONALS By Susan Sampson, Communications Manager, Lehigh County Authority A cross the water and wastewater industry, like many other businesses, we face a common challenge: an aging workforce and a large wave of retirements on the horizon. Often referred to as the “silver tsunami,” companies are aware of the looming departure of their most experienced workers and looking for ways to attract and develop new talent before critical knowledge is lost. For water, wastewater, and other municipal authorities, recruiting young professionals can be difficult. College and technical school students tend to know about the most obvious careers in healthcare, manufacturing, or technology, but may not consider the wide range of opportunities municipal authorities offer. Creating awareness of the many possibilities in our industries is the first step in building a workforce pipeline. At Lehigh County Authority (LCA), a summer internship program has become an effective way to introduce students to career possibilities, while providing meaningful experiences that deepen their understanding of the topics they study. From Summer Experience to Talent Pipeline Now in its third year, LCA’s WaterWORKS Internship Program has evolved to offer students an immersive experience in their discipline of study. The program began in 2024, with five students rotating through different departments to gain exposure to all aspects of utility operations. While it helped students understand the breadth of the industry, LCA quickly recognized the value of providing interns with more focused, discipline- specific experiences. Today, interns spend most of their time working in areas that align with their studies, while still giving them exposure to all aspects of a water authority. Students gain real-world experience in engineering, water and wastewater treatment, laboratory operations, information technology, and administrative functions. “Our goal is to expose students to an industry they may not have considered in the past,” said Andrew Moore, LCA’s Director of Plant Operations and leadership sponsor of the program. “Many students never think about the water industry as a career path. We want to show them the opportunities available and help them see how their education connects to protecting public health and the environment.” The program hosted five interns in the first year and six interns each of the following two years, drawing candidates from colleges, universities, and technical schools across eastern Pennsylvania. Real Projects, Real Impact LCA interns work on real projects that impact outcomes, decisions, and operations. This year’s interns are helping to evaluate microplastics in the water treatment process, analyzing energy consumption at facilities, and supporting laboratory research, all