WASHINGTON, D.C. -- The National Rural Water Association (NRWA) is pleased to announce a significant breakthrough for its Apprenticeship Program with $13.1 million in new federal investments. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has allocated $5.5 million for NRWA's Innovative Water Infrastructure Workforce Development Program, while the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) has awarded $7.6 million to support the development and expansion of NRWA's vital water industry Registered Apprenticeships.
The NRWA Apprenticeship Program has been a top priority for rural America for many years, and these federal funds are the first competitive grant awards ever dedicated to this important effort. They come at a crucial time to address the urgent need for a trained water and wastewater operator workforce. The EPA's announcement on July 11, 2024, highlights a total of $20 million in funding for water workforce training and career development, a part of their Investing in America agenda. Similarly, the DOL's Employment and Training Administration (ETA) has prioritized the inclusion of the water and wastewater sector in its Apprenticeship Building America, Round 2 funding awards for the first time.
"Today marks a monumental step forward for NRWA and the 31,000 small and rural communities we represent," said NRWA Chief Executive Officer Matt Holmes. "Water infrastructure is the backbone of public health, economic development, and environmental protection. These substantial federal investments will transform our ability to attract, train, and retain the next generation of water and wastewater professionals, who in turn will help ensure safe and effective water utility management across the nation."
The NRWA Apprenticeship Program, the first nationally recognized DOL Registered Apprenticeship program for water and wastewater system operators, is designed to meet the increasing demands of the industry's workforce. With the projected departure of up to 50% of the current workforce within the next decade, this program is critical to maintaining public health and ensuring the continued delivery of clean and safe water.
The program's success is based on NRWA's National Guideline Standards of Apprenticeship for Water and Wastewater System Operations Specialists. These standards were developed with extensive input from small and rural water system managers and board members, exemplifying the DOL's employer-driven model of workforce development. This new federal funding will support job opportunities at the local level, establish systematic training methods in the field and the classroom, improve water worker participation, compensation and retention, and modernize the water industry's approach to workforce development.
NRWA is particularly grateful for the annual, bipartisan support received from Congress for this effort which underscores the critical need for sustained, targeted funding to address the nationwide shortage of water and wastewater operators, especially in rural areas.
NRWA is poised to capitalize on these new federal funding awards to strengthen the water sector workforce. These federal investments will enable NRWA to sustain and expand the Apprenticeship Program in 36 states, establish programs in states that have not yet done so, and increase workforce participation and retention in small, rural, and tribal communities and assist to diversify the workforce. This funding will also protect the federal government's sizable investment in America's water and wastewater systems, enhance vital services to customers, and certify worker proficiency with an identifiable career path. Furthermore, it will modernize the industry's current approach to workforce development, elevate professionalism, upskill incumbent workers, and highlight the public good provided by water utilities. With scheduled wage increases and access to advanced technology, these investments will ultimately benefit both the water worker and the millions of rural Americans who rely on this essential service.
These significant funding awards will improve drinking water quality and sanitation services, protect public health and the environment, maintain system compliance with federal water regulations, and help overcome the water industry workforce challenge. This, in turn, will help water utilities avoid fines, enhance system operations, and preserve this modern, basic civic necessity. NRWA is proud to lead the way for the rural water and wastewater workforce and will provide the American taxpayer with a significant return on these investments.
About NRWA
The National Rural Water Association is the largest public drinking water and sanitation utility organization representing the interests of more than 31,000 water and wastewater utilities nationwide. NRWA provides training and technical assistance to all 50 States and Puerto Rico through affiliated State Rural Water Associations dedicated to supporting and promoting the water and wastewater professionals that serve small communities across the nation. Rural Water training and technical assistance covers every aspect of operating, managing and financing water and wastewater utilities to more than 100,000 water professionals annually.
