Working Group #8
Support the Modernization of the Hydropower, River Restoration, and Public Safety Workforce
Working Group 8 is dedicated to strengthening the future of hydropower, river restoration, and public safety workforces. Recognizing the dual challenges of an aging workforce and the urgent need for more inclusive and accessible career pathways, the group brings together a cross-sector coalition to explore workforce needs, identify shared priorities, and support long-term change.
The group believes that the future workforce should reflect the diversity of the communities these sectors serve. That means expanding access to career opportunities, strengthening education and training pipelines, and helping employers attract and retain talent from a wide range of backgrounds and experiences.
Through ongoing collaboration, Working Group 8 works to:
- Increase visibility and understanding of career pathways in the hydropower, river restoration, and public safety fields.
- Support strategies that help employers find and keep great talent.
- Build partnerships that connect students, educators, and practitioners in meaningful ways.
Working Group 8 Deliverables:
Workforce Data Roadmap Data, Gaps and Recommended Actions
This roadmap assesses the gaps between the existing hydropower workforce and a workforce that reflects diversity of all kinds and attracts young professionals to and from remote, underserved communities.
HydropowerConnect: Connecting Existing Programs and the Future Hydropower Workforce through a Collaborative Approach
This paper describes existing and future workforce efforts, lays out a plan to connect the hydropower industry and the broader dam community, and identifies further areas of needed study.
Working Group 8 Co-Chairs:
- Shelly Adams, Seattle City Light
- Dr. Mel Lewis, The Art of Change Agency