AKRC Water Hub Hosts A “Operator in Training” Course

The AKRC Water Hub hosted a Water Operator in Training (OIT) Course from May 8 – 12, 2023 at their new Operator Training Centre located at 102 Wharf Street in Keewatin, Ontario.

It was the inaugural training session at their new location and the AKRC technical services department and the Water Hub are pleased with the results. Fifty percent of the AKRC affiliated Operators in Training were successful at earning their OIT Water Certificate from the Ontario Water and Wastewater Certification Office, also known as OWWCO in the industry. OWWCO is an extension of the Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks (MECP), in Ontario who oversees the licence and certification administration duties on behalf of the Ministry. Becoming a Certified Water Operator in Training is the first step of many to ensuring the delivery of a safe potable water supply to our First Nation Communities.

The AKRC Hub initiated a collaboration with the Ontario First Nation Technical Services Corporation (OFNTSC) to provide a four (4) day Operator in Training certification exam preparation course which ran from Monday to Thursday followed by the OWWCO exam on Friday.

The OFNTSC administers the Circuit Rider Training Program (CRTP) in the Province of Ontario.

The CRTP provided onsite training for our water Operators in Training and the OFNTSC agreed to have their top-notch trainer deliver the OIT exam preparation course, all at the request of the AKRC Hub. The training was set up and all that remained was to set an official OWWCO exam date and time and find someone in the Kenora area to “Proctor” or sit in and oversee the virtual exam.

As you can see, setting up and administering an official OWWCO certification exam and preparation course is no small task and therefore the groundwork for this event was laid by the AKRC Hub in November of 2022.

The week came and went with fifty percent of the affiliated Operators in training successfully passing their exams. We are celebrating their success and are thankful for their good work. The Operators in Training are appreciated.

Note:

If you or anyone you know is interested in a career in water treatment, please don’t hesitate to contact the AKRC Hub office at (807) 547-2138 or the Hub Manager at (807) 547-0019. We’ll be more than happy to start you on your way. Prerequisite are your Grade 12/GED or on the verge of obtaining either.

Miigwech!