Lakeside Wastewater to participate in rehabilitation training program
Lakeside’s Wastewater treatment plant is participating in a program that will bring in man power at no cost to the City. Ardith Lewis, Chief plant operator, reported on the opportunity at the regular city council meeting and got council approval to proceed.
“We have all the benefits, no wages to pay, no insurance, no equipment expense, and we get paid. Lewis went on to say, he is protected and so are we.”
SAIF, workers compensation insurance for Oregon, has a return-to-work vocational rehabilitation program that through a coordinator works out a program on behalf of an interested trainee. A vocational consulting firm has identified someone interested in training for wastewater treatment plant operator.
Lane Community College (LCC) has a training program which coordinates through a private vocational rehabilitation firm.
The insurance company (SAIF) will pay for a criminal history check and/or drug screen, as required by the City of Lakeside. Also, required is completion of any pre-evaluation testing by the plant/city. The individuals treating physician will ensure that the physical demands of the job are appropriate based on the claim caused limitation.
A stipend
There is no assumption of employment at the end of the approximate 12 month program. The city will receive approximately $336 each term for participating in the training. There is no paperwork required of the city or the plant and the program can be terminated at any time, for any reason, if the worker cannot meet the expectations of the facility or facility standards required.
Lewis stated, ” hopefully someone will be prepared for employment with the city to fill any opening that may occur as a result of attrition.”
Vocational rehabilitation is a great program. They do lots of testing prior to placing someone in a position. This includes interest tests to see what the person wants to do and testing to se if they will be successful in the program. Since they are the ones spending money, they try not to get into anything that looks like a high failure rate.
Great job for Ardith to be open to such an opportunity and bring it to the city. Many places don’t want to get involved because of the added work load to train a new person.