WC141 MarApr 2025 - Magazine - Page 36
INTERNATIONAL
I noticed significant gaps that still persist today.
While organizations exist to train water professionals
and numerous water treatment facilities operate
across the country, I didn’t encounter a single
location where I felt confident drinking tap water—
even in hotels belonging to reputed ‘world-class’
chains. Clearly, something wasn’t working.
Speaking to various water professionals, it
appeared that the training was perhaps not as robust
as it should be, but in addition, there was no process
for classifying water treatment facilities, nor was
there a process for the examination and certification
of water professionals.
What could I do? I have been working in the sector for more
than a decade, and during that time I have made a great number
of connections. Could my connections help? There was only
one way to find out.
I discussed the idea with Paul Bishop, the CEO of WPI.
Supporting a project to certify water treatment operators in
Kenya presented a significant opportunity for WPI to enter the
African market. Starting with Kenya, the initiative could expand
to seven neighboring countries and eventually reach other parts
of sub-Saharan Africa. With WPI’s reputation as the leading
international certification body, Kenya’s potential to become a
hub for water-related programs, and the region’s rapidly growing
population, the timing was ideal for such a project.
Next, who should do the training? I couldn’t think of anyone
better than Micheal Firlotte, the Chair-Elect of the WPI board,
also considered to be one of Western Canada’s best water
treatment trainers. Mike happily volunteered to do the oneweek training that is crucial for those preparing to write the
WPI certification exam.
With the top certification body and highly skilled trainers
in place, the next challenge was identifying the most qualified
students. Given Kenya’s strong educational institutions,
including KEWI, the University of Nairobi, Jomo Kenyatta
University of Agriculture and Technology, and Meru University,
it was clear that finding talented candidates would not be a
challenge.
Next steps were to develop marketing materials and an
application form using the talent at GAMECHANGERS Inc.
and distributing the information via connections in Kenya.
Unsurprisingly, there was some initial hesitation in applying.
The questions that came up repeatedly:
“Is this a scam?”
“Who is this woman from Canada, and this organization
from the US? Why are they providing Kenyans with the
option of attending a one-week training session, daily lunch,
examination, an internationally recognized certification, and a
graduation reception, at ZERO cost?”
36
WATER C AN ADA • M ARCH/APRIL 2025
Water Canada was a proud sponsor of the Kenya Water Operator Certi昀椀cation Initiative.
“What’s the catch?”
Working with members of the KEWI Alumni Association
as well as the Water Sector Workers Association of Kenya
(WASWAK), we were able to allay those fears and hundreds of
applications started rolling in.
These applications of course needed to be assessed, and that
was done by trainer Mike Firlotte and I. Candidates were graded
based on:
English and math proficiency
High school graduation
Post-secondary graduation from KEWI or a comparable organization
Minimum of one-year of work experience in a water treatment facility
The initial plan was to have 20 candidates, but due to the
overwhelming response, the class size grew to 40–Mike had his
work cut out!
We thoroughly enjoyed working with the candidates through
the one-week training program—their enthusiasm for the program and dedication to the industry was invigorating.
On the last day of classes, after a review of the material in
the morning, the candidates wrote the WPI exam. Out of a
class of 40, 29 passed. That is a pass rate of 72.5 per cent. Truly
phenomenal!
This initiative has been a gamechanger for water professionals
in Kenya. For the first time in Kenya’s 61-year history, there are
now 29 Professional Operators certified with an internationally
recognized water treatment certification from Water Professionals International.
This project would not have been feasible without my team
at GAMECHANGERS Inc., and without the amazing training
provided on a volunteer basis by Mike Firlotte. Most of all,
much gratitude to Paul Bishop and the WPI team for the trust
in my vision, and helping it come to fruition.
So, what’s next? In the spirit of collaboration and growing this initiative, wheels have been set in motion to have
two cohorts next time—one for water treatment and one for
wastewater treatment. We’ve proven what we can do by working
together and aiming for success…we’ll be back!
WAT E R C A N A D A . N E T
