California Water News Daily Your Source For Water News in California
Cuyamaca College’s Center for Water Studies will host a symposium on January 18, 2018 on “Women in Water: Exploring Career Pathways” to encourage the pursuit of water industry careers for women. This inaugural event, will present information on how women can learn how to train for jobs and build a successful career within the water industry. Additionally, successful female water industry professionals will share their insights, training advice and recommendations with young women from high schools and colleges, those considering career changes and veteran female professionals who are exploring industry opportunities.
The keynote speaker for this event will be Van Ton-Quinlivan, vice chancellor for Workforce and Economic Development for the California Community Colleges. Ton-Quinlivan is the force behind new legislation and over $200 million in new funding for career technical education throughout California. She was recognized by the Obama administration as a “White House Champion of Change.”
The symposium will feature two tracks – the first explores opportunities for starting or transitioning to a career in water or wastewater, while the second track focuses on information and strategies for women already working in the water industry looking for upward mobility. Speakers and panelists for the symposium’s sessions include women who have built successful careers in the region’s water and wastewater agencies.
“Times are changing and more women are finding great jobs and career pathways into the technical and managerial positions that have historically been predominantly held by men. Of the 24 water agencies that are members of the San Diego County Water Authority, one third of their chief executives are women,” according to Don Jones, grant manager for the National Science Foundation grant which is underwriting a major part of the cost of the event. “The growing need for well-trained technical and mid-skilled workers creates the potential for good paying jobs with excellent benefits for women of all ages,” said Jones.
El Cajon-based Cuyamaca College has begun construction on a state-of-the-art Center for Water Studies aimed at training the next generation of industry professionals to manage and operate the complex water and wastewater systems within California. The first component of the project – the Field Operations Skills Yard – is under construction and, when completed, will include a fully operational, above-ground water distribution and an underground wastewater collection system that will enable students to apply their science, technology, engineering and mathematics knowledge in a learning-by-doing, career-preparation focused environment.
“Cuyamaca College is a leader in workforce training for the water and wastewater industry, and the Center for Water Studies will further strengthen our status as a trailblazer in the profession,” said Cuyamaca College President Julianna Barnes.
The “Women in Water: Exploring Career Pathways” symposium will begin at 8:00am with a continental breakfast and coffee and conclude at 4:30pm. Lunch, refreshments and free parking are provided. There is a $25 registration fee to cover food costs for non-students, but registration is free for currently enrolled high school and community college students.
Online registration is now open at: http://events.cwea.org/event/women-in-water-career-pathways/. Additional details will be provided upon registration.
