💧 H2O INTRO 👤 Meet Sean Owens, Treatment Plant Supervisor for Central Arkansas Water

Water utilities are preparing for a wave of retirements, but Sean Owens sees another workforce problem developing in the middle: employees aren't always getting the skills and experience they need to become the next generation of managers and executives.

Owens points to research showing 42% of workers don't want additional promotions, often because they want to preserve work-life balance. That makes developing future leaders about more than simply moving people up an organizational chart.

At Central Arkansas Water, one approach is an operator exchange program that gives employees experience at other treatment plants. Operators learn unfamiliar systems and processes, then bring that knowledge back to their own facilities while building the adaptability needed for leadership and emergency response.

Owens is also working through AWWA to connect professional development across committees and career stages. His message to current leaders is straightforward: mentorship and deliberate opportunities to develop communication and other soft skills need to accompany technical training.

The workforce challenge isn't only replacing people who retire. It's preparing people already inside water organizations to lead what comes next.

H2O INTRO is sponsored by Human Capital Solutions, Inc., an executive search, recruiting, and leadership advisory firm. Visit https://humancs.com

waterloop is a nonprofit news outlet exploring solutions for water sustainability. Visit https://www.waterloop.org/

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