Building Stronger Teams: Training Support at Rocky View Water Co-op

The Water Federation Training, Support and Seminars Project is helping co-ops strengthen their teams by removing the financial barrier to high-quality training. Rocky View Water Co-op is one of the members putting this support to work, and the impact is felt directly in their day-to-day operations.

For Water Plant Manager George Grosariu at Rocky View Water Co-op, the program has supported the kind of development that keeps his small team running effectively. “We are responsible for a critical community resource, and that means we need a team that is not only highly skilled but also well trained,” he says.

Each summer, the co-op brings on two student workers, and George steps into a mentorship role. He introduces the new staff to safety practices, system operations and the realities of working in a live water environment. When he enrolled in the Coaching for Operators course through AWWOA, funded through the Water Federation, he saw an opportunity to strengthen the way he supports new staff.

The leadership course focused on how to coach in real work situations and how to guide people through challenges that come up on the job. George says the experience shifted his perspective. “The technical side of our job is always critical, but learning how to guide and support people is what keeps operations running smoothly over the long term. Hearing real stories from other operators gave me insights you cannot get from a textbook.”

Rocky View has also used the Water Federation Training, Support and Seminars Project to build technical skills. Another operator recently completed a hands-on hydrant maintenance course and returned with strong feedback on how practical and immediately useful the training was.

For George, the value is straightforward. “The Water Federation provides an incredible advantage by covering the costs of these courses. For smaller co-ops, having access to funded training removes a major barrier, and it is a resource that is sitting right there, ready to be used.”

The Water Federation Training, Support and Seminars Project reimburses eligible training costs for member co-ops that are incorporated in Alberta, in good standing and up to date with annual reporting. Reimbursement is issued once a completion report is submitted. More information is available at https://www.abwaterco-op.com/training.