An effective way to demonstrate mentorship to the next generations is to participate in efforts that bring your occupation to life. For the last 10 plus years, the Hampton Roads Public Works Academy has done precisely that. Local Public Works departments in Hampton Roads provide weekly lectures, classroom experiences and field trips to see and experience the wide variety of trades and professional talent, training and skills required to provide the services necessary to maintain our communities.
Recently, in addition to providing classroom presentations to Vocational Technical Schools in Newport News, Virginia Beach and Suffolk, we have hosted several classes on field trips to the Recovery Operations Center in the Denbigh section of Newport News. Students in a variety of specialties got to experience the multi-faceted nature of the management of recovery operations, mulch and compost creation, and retired landfill management. We were able to show students exactly how trades such as plumbing, welding, automotive, and computer skills all play into providing necessary municipal services. By having a personal experience, students felt better connected and informed about the importance of their training and the job opportunities available.
For more information on tours and presentations, contact the Newport News Recovery Operations Center at 757.886.7612 or [email protected]
Blog contributed by Dan Baxter, Assistant Recycling Coordinator with the City of Newport News.