Laserfiche WebLink
EGty1� ,.,�� Request for Action <br /> River <br /> To Item Number <br /> Mayor and City Council 9.3 <br /> Agenda Section Meeting Date Prepared by <br /> Work Session March 18, 2019 Justin Femrite, P.E.,Public Works Director <br /> Item Description Reviewed by <br /> Public Works Apprenticeship Program Cal Portner, City Administrator <br /> Reviewed by <br /> Action Requested <br /> Consensus to finalize program,position descriptions and advertise for apprentice positions. <br /> Background/Discussion <br /> The Public Works Department is proposing a new apprenticeship program to train entry level workers <br /> while filling some of our labor gaps. The idea comes after evaluation of department labor needs and <br /> ongoing attempts to recruit qualified and properly-trained personnel to fill our maintenance operator <br /> positions. These positions would rotate between all public works divisions filling in to cover labor <br /> shortages all while gaining experience and training through their tenure. <br /> Our division managers all report staff levels fall short of meeting our labor needs at different times of the <br /> year. While our crews do a great job completing our mission critical duties,we are falling behind on a <br /> number of preventative maintenance tasks. We are proposing this program to solve this short-term <br /> challenge in order to not create more costly problems in the future. A program like this further allows us <br /> to train,potential future full-time workers, the right way while learning their work ethic and fit for our <br /> organization. Essentially we would like to create a"bench" of potential candidates for future public works <br /> operator vacancies. <br /> The ideal candidate for our Public Works Apprenticeship Program would be a high school graduate. <br /> These candidates may not understand what public works is or what they may want in a long-term, full- <br /> time career. It would be our hope to give them a full range of experience and exposure to all divisions to <br /> determine their strengths and aspirations. In providing this we are filling the need of an industry by <br /> training new public works professionals to take our place in the future. <br /> Financial Impact <br /> It is proposed to implement this program without increase to any of the approved budgets. We propose <br /> to cover the costs for the apprentice program with existing budgeted dollars for the long-term, unfilled <br /> Street Maintenance Operator II position, an unfilled Wastewater Operator position, and the use of <br /> budgeted money for some of our seasonal help. <br /> Attachments <br /> ■ None <br /> The Elk River Vision <br /> A Pehoming community Pitb revolutionary and spirited resourcefulness, exceptional ,`POWERED <br /> service, and community engagement that encourages and inspires prosperzty INAMIRE1 <br />