This year during Nation Groundwater Awareness Week we wanted to share one of the many efforts put forth by our friends at NGWA to protect and support our groundwater: Drilling Basics Online.
This year, NGWA and its partners will be focusing their advocacy on promoting professional opportunities in the groundwater industry.
According to the American Geoscience Institute, nationally there are more than 135,000 open positions in the industry now, which is far too high to keep up with consumer demand.
Over 44% of the population depends on groundwater as a primary water source, developing interest in the groundwater industry is of vital importance to both the health and economy of the country.
Groundwater professionals span a wide variety of careers and skills including; well contractors, hydrogeologists, groundwater policy advocates, and suppliers and manufacturers of groundwater technology.
Recently, to respond to this shortfall of groundwater professionals, NGWA has partnered with Oklahoma State University to develop new tools to attract more people into the industry.
Launching last year, Drilling Basics Online is a first-of-its-kind online platform for individuals to pursue a comprehensive education in groundwater drilling and geoscience with a focus on the competencies tested for on groundwater drilling exams.
The courses offered through Drilling Basics online are, Drilling Safety, Geology & Groundwater, Hydrogeology & Fluid Mechanics, Rig Type & Well Design, Drill Rig Safety, and General Workplace Safety. The program will continue to be developed with new online offerings while adding classroom and field courses.
