Age of operators

[COLE_Tim]

The following comment came via e-mail to COLE Publishing.
The reader of TPO has some concerns that could make for good discussion.
Just wondering what other plants are experiencing?

"My big concern now is the age of most of the operators in my state. Most of us are getting close to retirement age, and it will be difficult to replace all that knowledge when these old timers leave. Currently, 50% of our operations staff has less than 4yrs on the job. It is the same with maintenance staff: Lots of old timers with a vast amount of knowledge about our facility and equipment. "

[Bplantman]

We have eight operators in this city. Three are retirement age with the remaining five having 10-20 years experience. Doesn`t appear to be a problem for us with experienced operators waiting in the wings for when the "old timers" retire. I have no idea on the experience stats for the state of Ohio. I heard this same point brought up in a class I was attending. I almost laughed at the time because with unemployment the way it is I would think a lot of people would love our jobs now.

[jvohs83]

I am the only operator here in a town of 6000. I operate a R.O. treatment Plant and a 1.0 MGD DAF Wastewater Treatment Plant. I am only 25 years old, but have almost ten years of experience in the field.

The reason I have the job I have now is because of the situation you are asking about. There were no other operators here in town at all. Currently the only other operator in town is my assitant that just received his first Wastewater license.