Assessing Supply, Demand and Professional Development Needs of Employees in WaterRelated Careers

Abstract

The need to focus efforts on preserving the quality and quantity of Kansas' water supply is a widely accepted and growing trend. Addressing such a need will necessitate increased supply of professionals in related STEM fields. Drawing on the Human Capital Theory and the Theory of Work Adjustment, descriptive survey research and qualitative interviews were used to gather data from employers of water-related job positions. The results of the study suggest that, while employers have not recently experienced much challenge filling job vacancies, demand for employees could increase in the future. Additionally, employers utilize a variety of professional development resources, and would utilize others if available. While levels of correspondence range among ability requirements and ability sets depending on the job position, efforts in education and recruitment could help address the supply of candidates for these positions.