There's a relatively new outlet for operator training in the clean-water profession. The American Association of Water and Wastewater Professionals (AAWWP) has been launched from a home base in Richmond, Va., to offer innovative training classes.

The classes heavily emphasize hands-on experience as opposed to classroom learning. The approach enables trainees to run lab and process testing and actually see biological processes in action. The aim is to provide everyday working knowledge that operators can put into action as soon as they return to their facilities.

AAWWP has partnered with corporate sponsors including ThermoFisher Scientific and Hach Company to present its training program, in Virginia for the time being, but farther and wider in the future.

The organization welcomes new members. Advantages of membership in addition to training a broad range of consultative services including NELAC compliance assistance, member-only discounts, and special member-only events at industry trade shows.

You can see videos on YouTube that illustrate the new organization's training approach - just search under AAWWP. You can also visit the web site at www.aawwpro.com.