At the MACo Winter Conference, experts discussed new ideas and developments to strengthen the pipeline of individuals working in the environmental health field.
Environmental health specialists ensure residents have safe food, safe water, and a safe community, but these professionals are becoming increasingly scarce. A nationwide shortage of environmental health specialists has forced government officials to get creative in establishing a pipeline of new candidates.
A state, local, and university-based collaboration prepares to do just that. The Maryland Department of Health, in partnership with Morgan State University, is launching an Environmental Health Apprenticeship program. Local departments are joining the effort and looking to offer on-the-job learning opportunities so students in the program can get the hands-on learning they need to start on the right foot with a local government.
Maryland State Senator Johnny Mautz led the conversation and moderated an informative Q&A at the “Hit the Ground Plumbin’… Getting Apprentices to Work in Waste, Water, and Septic” session at the MACo Winter Conference.
Panel speakers included:
- Paul Monteiro, Secretary, Maryland Department of Service and Civic Innovation
- Matthew Cumers, Environmental Health Director, Calvert County
- Matthew McConaughey, MPH, Health Officer, Wicomico County Health Department
Maryland’s first Secretary of the Department of Service and Civic Innovation, Paul Monteiro, started the session by discussing the importance of apprenticeships and civic service and expressed support for programs to bolster the recruitment and retention of environmental health specialists.
Calvert County’s Director of Environmental Health, Matthew Cumers, discussed the role of environmental health officers in Maryland and why an environmental health apprenticeship could be a game changer for recruitment and retention.
Wicomico County Health Officer Matthew McConaughey talked about the need to address workforce issues in the field, including noncompetitive salaries compared to the private sector, dealing with an uptick in political and individual scrutiny (primarily because of staff shortages), and other challenges recruiting and retaining professionals.
The session was on December 7 at the Hyatt Regency Chesapeake Bay Hotel in Cambridge, Maryland.
More about MACo’s Winter Conference:
