A large number of workers are retiring soon, and many utilities already have difficulties recruiting new people into the field. And while studies show that diversity propels innovation and productivity, a significant portion of the water workforce lacks diversity. 

Recognizing those challenges, in 2018 the Water Environment Federation (WEF) set out to enhance DE&I in the water workforce through its creation of InFLOW (Introducing Future Leaders to Opportunities in Water) program. InFLOW is a scholarship program that bring scholars to WEFTEC (the largest annual water quality conference in the world) to solidify their interest in working in the water sector and to help foster a network within WEF and water to increase probabilities for employment.

InFLOW has raised industry awareness of workforce challenges and created a new two-track talent pipeline for water: STEMpath, identifying scholars in undergraduate and graduate degree programs from historically underrepresented ethnic and racial groups; and CareerTech – partnering with community-based organizations to expose scholars in job readiness programs to the career possibilities in water quality. Their fresh perspectives have allowed us to engage with communities from different angles. We need more of that; a workforce that reflects the community it serves makes more equitable decisions.

Arcadis signed on to this program as a founding sponsor and we continue our support today because WEF's strategy aligns with Arcadis' mission of building and leveraging a diverse, equitable and inclusive workplace with equal opportunities for professional development and advancement.

WEFTEC sets the stage for collaboration within the industry

This year, the InFLOW program scholars will participate in several virtual and in-person activities including networking with water professionals and learning about the different career paths and opportunities in the water industry; connecting with corporate recruiters to learn how to be prepared for a career in water; participating in a mentorship program and much more. Engagement of the scholars will continue beyond WEFTEC via internships, mentorships and young professionals network.

Seizing the opportunity, together

InFLOW engages the water community to create intentional actions to elevate the DE&I discussion. The program also creates an industry-wide opportunity to help address recruitment, retention and DE&I challenges on a larger scale. Instead of each utility taking individual steps to try and solve a big problem, we can all come together as an industry and share where we are, the outcomes we want to achieve, and to chart a path forward.

DE&I won’t happen overnight – in many cases the groups of workers who will help water utilities become more diverse, equitable, and inclusive need the encouragement, education, opportunity, and exposure to build a career in this field. Engaging with programs like InFLOW helps bring these critical voices into our industry, setting the stage to move beyond utilities having a DE&I strategy to enjoying a culture of DE&I. It’s a long-term process, but the impact can be what makes your utility fit-for-future.

This blog was co-authored by Donnell Duncan and Carlton Serrette. Donnell serves as co-chair of WEF’s Board of Trustees DE&I Subcommittee. Carlton is a Senior Vice President with Arcadis and has been involved with the InFLOW program from its inception.