HARRISBURG – HACC, Central Pennsylvania's Community College, is offering wastewater treatment plant operator training, a state approved, 180-hour course. This program prepares candidates to fill a demand being created by tightening environmental regulations and the increasing number of retiring workers.

HACC, CET Engineering Services (part of Commonwealth Engineering and Technology, Inc,. in Linglestown) and the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) have teamed up to offer this new course, which will give students the knowledge and skills necessary to effectively operate plant equipment and maintain control of plant processes.

Candidates should have a mechanical and electrical aptitude and problem-solving skills.

Those who are interested in learning more are invited to a free information session from 4-6 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 29, in room 227 of HACC’s Midtown 1, 1523 N. Fourth St., Harrisburg. Funding may be available for those who are unemployed.

Local elected officials, who are responsible for hiring plant operators, also are invited to learn about the benefits of hiring trained workers.

Successful graduates of this training program will have the option of taking the DEP Certification Exam. Those who pass the exam, DEP will give credit with experience time to get on the fast-track toward becoming a DEP Licensed Operator. Average salaries for newly licensed operators range from $30 thousand to $38 thousand.