Camden Youth Hit the Streets with High-Tech Equipment and Training
VOORHEES, N.J.– New Jersey American Water has entered into a contract with the Camden-based youth development organization Hopeworks ‘N Camden to provide real work experience to a group of teens with state-of-the-art Geographic Information System (GIS) and Global Positioning Satellite (GPS) technology. The company will provide all the necessary equipment and training, and Hopeworks ‘N Camden will identify the GIS trainees and required supervisors to perform GPS data collection in a 7.5 square mile area of north-eastern Camden.
“Hopeworks ‘N Camden is very excited about this opportunity. We have been training Camden youth in technology for over 15 years, but this is a unique opportunity to work with an industry leader”
Hopeworks ‘N Camden GIS teams will work in pairs and be accompanied by a supervisor, using New Jersey American Water’s equipment and methodology to collect GPS data that will then be input into the company’s extensive GIS database. Based on data collected by the GIS teams, the company will be able to digitally map, within inches, the exact locations of its fire hydrants, valves, and other underground assets in the work area.
“GIS is sophisticated software that lets us map, model and analyze large quantities of data within a single database,” said Donald Shields, vice president of engineering at New Jersey American Water. “We are impressed with the level of expertise and training Hopeworks ‘N Camden is providing to these young men and women. The skills they are learning will position them for good technical careers in this growing field.”
“Hopeworks ‘N Camden is very excited about this opportunity. We have been training Camden youth in technology for over 15 years, but this is a unique opportunity to work with an industry leader,” said Luis Olivieri, GIS director for Hopeworks ’N Camden.
New Jersey American Water, a wholly owned subsidiary of American Water (NYSE: AWK), is the largest investor-owned water utility in the state, providing high-quality and reliable water and/or wastewater services to approximately 2.6 million people. Founded in 1886, American Water is the largest publicly traded U.S. water and wastewater utility company. With headquarters in Voorhees, N.J., the company employs more than 6,400 dedicated professionals who provide drinking water, wastewater and other related services to approximately 15 million people in more than 40 states, as well as parts of Canada. More information can be found by visiting www.amwater.com.