In the specific case of Kitchener Utilities, drinking water system operators have the practical experience of operating the system, but may not have the technical knowledge. In other words they do not fully understand the cause and effect(s) of their actions when operating the system. As such there is room for improving the cognitive aspects of  “what happens when I do this...”. 

A majority of training that Kitchener Utilities budgets for is essentially off-site training, where the upwards of  67% of the training budget is associated with the costs of travel, accommodation and lost productive time to the organization .

Though recent efforts have been made to develop a drinking water quality management system (DWQMS), as mandated by the Ontario MOE, it is speculated by Kitchener Utilities management that the procedures which support the DWQMS are inconsistently applied or poorly understood. There needs to be continuous reinforcement in the concepts and how they can practically applied. 

Kitchener Utilities Drinking Water Sampling Training Needs Assessment and Proposal Development

Kitchener Utilities Drinking Water Sampling Training Instructional Analysis and Learner Assessment

Needs Assessment Approach

It is proposed that the "Problem Model" be applied as the issue of training drinking water operators at the Kitchener Utilities may be the solution, but is not the only component. This approach is used when there is perceived to be problem that needs to be solved and if the problem actually exists. It determines cause and effect relationships, specifically whether the problem can be solved by providing learning opportunities and whether these are available to the prospective learner.

As such the needs assessment will consider three (3) perspectives in order to determine the appropriate response to identified problems or issues: 

a)      Corporate strategic level – which considers external factors acting on the organization, for example customer perception or regulatory requirements.

b)      Performance level – which considers what the organization and learners need to achieve in order to deliver their product or service.

c)      Learner Level – describing the perceptions, needs and realities of the learners that are being reviewed.

Preliminary Results of Needs Assessment

Learner Level

Create experienced based course material, which reinforces technical information, as well basic regulatory compliance issues with operators. There appears to be significant interest in several courses, such as watermain chlorination, unidirectional flushing, or bacteriological sampling.

Performance Level

A more regular review of the operating procedures should be integrated into monthly staff safety meetings or tail-board conferences on job sites, such that greater consistency could be achieved in operation of the drinking water system by the operators.

Corporate Strategic Level

The above mentioned courses should be designed to reflect the agreed upon procedures that are supportive of the DWQMS.

Competency Categories Exhibited - 

1. Problem Solving, Analysis, & Decision Making

2. Instructional Design & Development

6. Management, Organization and Leadership