Intern Program Steers Students Into Utility Careers

摘要

One of the best ways to minimize the effects of a shortage of qualified workers is to plan ahead.rnThe city of Akron Public Utilities Bureau (APLB). bas 320 dedicated employees serving neany 330.000 people throughout their 110-square-mile service area containing approximately 92,000 residential accounts and 2,500 commercial/industrial accounts.rnTwo years ago, the bureau analyzed its workforce and identified that 40 percent of its employees either were already eligible for retirement or would be within the next five years. Knowing this data and anticipating future employment needs provided an opportunity to hire new workers over a period of time, rather than facing multiple vacancies.rnOngoing succession planning is a critical process, wrote Michael L. McGlinchy, P.E., public utilities bureau manager, in his preface letter for the bureau's 2006 annual report.