Abstract
Abstract
Training of treatment plant operators in South Africa faces some special problems. First, the
political changes in the past decade led to a complete restructuring of local government. An
integral part of the ongoing restructuring process is an aggressive programme for black economic
empowerment. This brought many new faces into local government without the practical
experience to which the water industry is accustomed, coupled with a massive displacement of
technical skills from the sector. From 1989, the number of civil engineering professionals
(engineers, technologists, technicians) has dwindled from 22 / 100000 of the population to 3 /
100000 of the population in 2007 (Lawless, 2007). Second, the Water Services Act (1997) of
South Africa shifted the burden of water supply squarely on the shoulders of district and local
municipalities. The dilution of skills, coupled with increasing responsibility, makes it clear that
the water sector in South Africa will have to train itself out of this predicament. As a result, the
quality and focus of training programmes, especially at the operator level, is receiving renewed
attention. This paper shares the experience of the development and refinement of a training course
for filter assessment for operators over the past eight years.