AWWA ACE91149

This paper discusses the consultant's role in providing operator training and the client's role in determining the level of training desired and how the two, working together, can agree on the development of a quality operator training program. Traditional training by consultants consisted of "show and tell" talks by the project engineer or project resident representative and a boilerplate operation and maintenance manual. Alternative training programs available are start-up process assistance, project specific operator training programs, operation and maintenance manuals, videotapes, computer assisted instruction, and interactive video; each of these is briefly described. The consultant must think about quality operator training during the early stages of a project, and not as an add-on at the end of the project.