Addressing Workforce Attrition, Retention, Absenteeism, and Recruitment in the Rural Alaska Water Sector
Publication: Construction Research Congress 2024
ABSTRACT
Rural water utilities often struggle to retain a reliable, skilled workforce. In the Yukon-Kuskokwim (YK) Delta of Alaska, this challenge is exacerbated by communities’ remoteness, small populations, and limited economies. Workforce attrition leaves utilities understaffed and unable to provide sufficient water services to their community. In this study, we evaluate interviews with seven YK Delta water sector professionals, including environmental health officers, water plant operators, and water haulers. Through a hybrid qualitative content analysis and cognitive mapping, we seek to better understand the relationships between workforce attrition and interdependent system factors. For instance, we identify that overworking can lead to attrition, which can lead to service disruptions. Preliminary results indicate that a major concern for water sector professionals is the excessive hours of work, which leads to worker burnout, attrition, and absenteeism. We further identify that increased wages for water sector workers can improve retention and recruitment, likely leading to long-term improvements in water provision.
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Construction Research Congress 2024
Pages: 199 - 209
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Published online: Mar 18, 2024
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