Seattle Public Utilities (SPU) is now basking in the glow of national recognition after its Apprenticeship and RV Wastewater programs were awarded top honors for innovative practices in workforce development and environmental performance. According to the news released on At Your Service, SPU's team was present in Austin, Texas, this Valentine's Day to accept the 2024 National Environmental Achievement Awards, bestowed by the National Association of Clean Water Agencies (NACWA).
The Apprenticeship Program, revamped in 2020, stood out for its structured approach to not just meaningfully increase, but to also diversify its recruitment. Alex Chen, SPU's Deputy Director, underlined the program's significance by stating, "A strong apprenticeship program is critical to ensuring a sustainable source of capable, trained Utility staff." He praised the initiative for putting frontline workers at its heart—making them the trainers, instructors, and program overseers. Since the program's overhaul, over 700 applicants clamored for a spot in its first cycle, and the recruitment for the fourth class has just wrapped up.
Meanwhile, the RV Wastewater Program received accolades for its effective method in slashing pollution spills. Prior to its establishment in 2020, the city grappled with nearly 110 RV sewage spills in 2019 alone. Fast forward to 2022, and this figure has plummeted to a mere 30—a testament to the program's efficacy. Ellen Stewart, also an SPU Deputy Director, credited the award and the program’s success to its design, which prioritizes people to deliver a low-cost, yet highly effective, pollution reduction mechanism.
The distinction of the NACWA award does not merely rest on the shelf as a trophy but stands as a beacon of SPU's commitment to environmental stewardship and community enrichment. It shines a light, according to city officials, on how to strategically leverage workforce development to fortify utility operations, and on how to keenly focus on grassroots issues, like RV-related pollution, to swiftly and drastically turn the tide of ecological impacts stemming from a city on the move.
