Fall 2022 Quarterly Newsletter
The summer months were jam-packed with ambitious projects to propel our office forward and, of course, employee vacations! We barely had a moment to stop and appreciate our office accomplishments, but this newsletter encompasses the past quarter and highlights future plans designed to uphold our mission.
“Almost everything will work again if you unplug it for a few minutes…including you.” — Anne Lamott
OPWD Overall Updates:
We launched a new registration system and have begun onboarding colleges & their non-credit courses and programs.
We have officially started offering OSHA courses and utilizing the Safety Yard.
We launched the UF Career Academy, which offers self-paced, online, open enrollment access to career pathways designed to learn the skills to enter high-demand, entry-level jobs. We are currently working with the Career Connections Center to utilize the UF Career Academy to help both non-traditional and traditional students.
Several OPWD employees started taking advantage of the alternate work schedule in July! Another successful step toward our strategic initiative to Be an Employer of Choice to Live, Work and Learn.
A new champion was crowned at our annual Chocolate Chip Cookie Baking Contest: Kevin Jackson! Kevin received the Cookie Monster and ultimate bragging rights until our next competition.
Our office started a Random Acts of Kindness Binder to be used as a reference guide to get to know the employees at OPWD and allow coworkers to use the information to find things their peers would appreciate.
Our office started a book club! Those who wish to participate meet once a month during lunch to discuss the selection – we are currently on our second book! Suggestions for our next book are welcome.
Career & Technical Education
Out of the 9 students who passed their courses in the Spring, 4 will be sitting for their state licensing exam. If they pass, they’ll be certified to work in the state of Florida to work in either water or wastewater.
Conferences
April: 1 international event in Madrid, Spain and 2 virtual events.
May: 1 in-person event and 1 virtual event.
June: 1 in-person events (Alexandria, VA) and 1 virtual event.
July: 5 in-person events in a 13-day span (3 Gainesville; 1 Arlington, VA; 1 Phoenix, AZ).
August: 1 in-person event (Orlando, FL).
September: 1 hybrid event (Tampa, FL).
Professional Development
Launched the ServSafe Study Course!
Successfully launched the 2nd Culinary Arts Course!
Planning for the 6th Annual Inspiring Women Leaders Conference is underway! The conference will be hosted at the Reitz Union on the University of Florida Campus March 9-10, 2023. We are excited to be able to offer the Annette Cornwell Bauer Scholarship again this year. If you’re interested in sponsoring the event, you can learn more here.
TREEO Center Programs
Asbestos:
Held 18 courses with a total of 185 students!
Backflow Prevention:
48 classes with 427 students this quarter!
OTIEC Host Site:
Held 4 courses with a total of 11 students!
Received the following generous donations: demonstration dummy for training, fall protection equipment, PPE – hardhats, safety vests, eat protection and safety gloves.
Water/Wastewater:
Held 16 classes with a total of 217 students.
Launched the Wastewater Professional Operator Certificate Program
Solid and Hazardous Waste Management:
33 combined offerings/classes and had a total of 208 students!
- University of Florida’s Office of Professional Workforce Development Now Accepting GI Bill® Benefits for Select Courses
- Celebrating Lauren Keiser: A Sustainable Event Champion
- University of Florida’s Office of Professional and Workforce Development Partners with Ed2Go to Expand Online Course Offerings
- Unlocking the Role: Community Health Worker
- Mastering Food Safety: A Guide to ServSafe Certification
