TT047 — Hands-On Training: How to Develop the Water Workforce

The latest episode of Tap Talk delves back into the topic of how to develop and train the newest generation of the water workforce. Jennifer and Steve talk with Matt Maas, the director of the Environmental Resources Training Center at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville. The ERTC is a one-of-a-kind facility with working pilot plants and laboratories that allow students to experience hands-on training throughout the entire certification program. 

Topics Discussed

  • Meet Matt Maas
  • Matt’s Water Hero: Captain Michael Curry, 2023 inductee to the Water Industry Hall of Fame, American Water Works Association Illinois Section
  • How does someone become a water or wastewater operator?
  • About the Environmental Resources Training Center
  • How is the ERTC innovative and unique?
  • The value of internships in the ERTC program
  • Changes Matt has made as director
  • Challenges ahead for the water workforce
  • How to attract new students to the ERTC
  • Matt’s vision for the future of the program
  • Environmental Resources Training Center at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville:

“The whole purpose of higher education is to bring in some [students] that may be less remarkable, and make them remarkable. That’s the key.”

Matt Maas

Go Further

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About the Guest

Matt Maas is the director of the Environmental Resources Training Center at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville. Matt has 15 years of practical and management experience in operations, water quality, and environmental science. Before joining ERTC, he worked in a variety of water quality roles at Missouri American Water and for California American Water as the operations manager of the Sacramento district. In the latter position, Matt was responsible for ten water systems and aiding business development in the due diligence of new acquisitions. Matt has a BS in biology from Coastal Carolina University, and is certified as both a Class A Public Water Supply Operator in Illinois and a Class A Drinking Water Treatment Operator in Missouri. If he’s not working at ERTC, you will most likely find Matt playing or watching basketball.