This phenomenon poses a clear and present danger to our efficiencies. We are losing not only our skilled workers but our trainers as well. Mentoring is not only for the Millennial just entering the work force but for the Generation X employee with twenty plus years of experience in another industry that did not fare as well during the Great Recession. Fortunately water and wastewater are base industries and many companies weathered the storm better than others, the oil and gas industry being the latest victim of global economic pressures.
It is important to hire people who have a proven track record to learn because what we do is essential to the health and wellbeing of people all over the world. Although these new employees may lack education in the technical background of our specific industries, they bring other strengths: positivity, energy, and intelligence. This is our opportunity to reinvent any stagnant procedures, to jumpstart corporate culture with new input, and reinvigorate the company veterans who are now charged with managing and mentoring the new hires.
One of my greatest challenges is explaining pipe sizes - nominal vs. actual outside diameter. To people with decades of experience in the industry, it’s common knowledge. But, I can remember my first days on the job and hearing this for the first time: “PVC pipe is called schedule or class pipe, which is made to IPS OD’s, which means Iron Pipe Size but in reality is steel pipe OD’s. But C-900 is also made out of PVC and has ductile iron OD’s, which is not the same as cast iron OD’s or IPS. Now HDPE can also be made in IPS or DI OD’s and AC pipe can have two OD’s on the same joint of pipe.”
If your new hire can decipher that or something similar in a short period of time, there is a good probability that you made the right choice and the rookie will progress quickly in an industry that can provide them a long career they can be proud of.
About the Author: John Collins is vice president of sales for JCM Industries Inc. in Nash, Texas, and a WWEMA Board Member.