Here's a recap of the recent two-day event in Reading, where attendees had not only an informative but also an incredibly enjoyable time. The event brought together water and wastewater control room professionals for a unique blend of learning, networking, and, of course, a little bit of fun!
Day 1: A Glimpse Behind the Scenes
The first day kicked off with a tour of the control room offices at Kemble Court which really brought the scale of their operations into perspective. Attendees had the invaluable opportunity to see how the Thames Water control room functions, discussing everything from shift patterns to the latest technology in use. It was a great chance to catch up with familiar faces and gain insights into the day-to-day operations of the Thames Water control room professionals. The day concluded with a well deserved social meal at The Botanist in Reading.
Day 2: Thames Water Insights and Engaging Discussions
Day 2 was equally packed with insightful talks and engaging discussions. Members of the Thames Water team took the stage to introduce the workings of their control room for those who might have missed the tour on Day 1. The discussions covered various challenges faced by control teams, including managing responses to alarms, ensuring system reliability, and identifying the necessary skills within the teams.
One highlight of the day was a captivating presentation on the Thames Tideway Tunnel. Attendees delved into its development, purpose, operational strategies, and how it will impact control room operations.
After a delicious lunch, participants engaged in breakout sessions to discuss critical aspects such as behaviors, skills, and values of control room employees, necessary qualifications and skills, recruitment processes, training, and what the future of control rooms might look like. These sessions sparked truly insightful discussions and knowledge-sharing among the participants.
The event concluded with a presentation from the International Critical Control Rooms Alliance, shedding light on the similarities between control rooms in different sectors, past trends, facilities, training methodologies, and how these aspects have evolved over the years. It was a fascinating look into the broader landscape of control rooms, providing valuable insights for all attendees.
A Great Gathering of Minds
These two days served as an invaluable experience. It was great to see everyone come together, sharing experiences, knowledge, and forging connections that will undoubtedly contribute to the continuous improvement of control room operations.
A big thank you to all who attended, making this event a resounding success! We look forward to future gatherings that promise even more learning, collaboration... and fun.
We hope to see you all again in May 2024!
Great photos! Another fantastic event, the control room tour and presentations on the day were excellent. Always really enjoy the opportunity to network and meet up with so many great people.
Massive thank you to everyone involved 👍😊