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BUILDING A CLIMATE-RESILIENT WORKFORCE:

ADDRESSING EDUCATION AND TRAINING NEEDS FOR OHIO’S GREAT LAKES COMMUNITIES

Jason Cervenec, Traci Lepicki, and Lorrayne Miralha

Ohio ACTE Conference

July 21, 2026

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Project Overview

Goal

  • Train at least 100 climate-ready workers, including technicians, scientists, and engineers, to fulfill the specialized workforce needs of the water industry in the Great Lakes by 2028

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Timeline – Program and Recruitment

  • Design Phase: CETE, ESD, microcredentials, and recruitment
  • Implementation Phase: Hands-on training and jobs

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Water Quality Management

Wetland Delineation

Sensor Technology

Stormwater Control Measures

And More!

Program we are building

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Preliminary Information to Guide the Project

P

Report assembled by state government ~10 years prior indicated unfilled demand in career sector

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Anecdotal reports of shortage of applicants to fill current positions and "silver tsunami" of employees eligible to retire

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Defining the "Water Resources" Career Sector

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  • Some members of the project team envisioned the water resources sector focused on employees in water and wastewater treatment plants as well as installation of infrastructure, such a building facilities and laying pipe.
  • Other members of the project team envisioned water resources sector focused on site assessments, wetlands restoration, and installation of green infrastructure.
  • The team adopted an inclusive definition, with the former being established careers that still needed employees and the later being emerging careers seeing continued growth. 

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Employer Needs Assessment Survey

Goal

  • Gather information to better understand local workforce needs
  • Identify training needs associated with those workforce needs
  • Assist with identifying opportunities for occupational analysis and input for supporting curriculum development

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Survey Results

Current and Projected Workforce Need

  • Environmental Manager, Environmental Sampling and Analysis Scientist, and Environmental Sampling and Analysis Technician

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Identified Skill Gaps

  • Basic knowledge in watershed issues
  • Basic taxonomy
  • Data analysis programs such as R
  • General computer classes
  • Identification of macroinvertebrates and fish species
  • Interpreting topographic maps and construction plans
  • Wetland identification/delineation
  • More hands-on experiences

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DACUM Functional Analysis Workshops

  • Data Collection and Analysis
  • Erosion and Sediment Control

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DACUM Results:

Data Collection and Analysis

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DACUM Results:

Erosion and Sediment Control

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Additional DACUM Analysis

Charts Developed in Collaboration with Ohio EPA

  • Class I Wastewater Collection System Operator
  • Class II Wastewater Treatment Operator
  • Wastewater Treatment Operator Class III
  • Class IV Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator
  • Class I Water Operator
  • Class IV Water Supply Operator
  • Collection System 2 Operator
  • Environmental Specialist II-CDO
  • Water Chemistry Data Collector

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Content Standards Alignment

  • Department of Labor Competency Model Clearinghouse
    • Reviewed the Water and Wastewater Competency Model

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  • Ohio’s Career Field Technical Content Standards
    • Reviewed Construction Technologies
      • Mapped at strand level to six course outlines
      • Competency mapping in process
    • Reviewed Agricultural and Environmental Systems
      • Mapped at competency level to nine course outlines

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https://go.osu.edu/ohioacte2026

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Questions and Feedback

  1. How does our work align with demand you are seeing from employers? Interests you are seeing from students?
  2. Does the process seem well-aligned with assessing demand/future demand and aligning the skill set?
  3. Any feedback, guidance, recommendations?
  4. Are you interested in collaborating with the team if there are opportunities? If so, please add your name, school, and e-mail address to our contact list. 

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Climate-Ready Workforce Project Website

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https://go.osu.edu/crw

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  • Needs assessment report
  • DACUM charts
  • Links to trainings and project partners

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Thank you!

Dr. Lorrayne Miralha

miralha.1@osu.edu

Traci Lepicki

lepicki.1@osu.edu

Jason Cervenec

cervenec.1@osu.edu