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Show your support for USDA Rural Development by signing the pledge!

USDA Rural Development Water and Environmental Programs has consistently supported rural communities in completing necessary upgrades to their water and wastewater facilities.

WEP is instrumental in helping rural America maintain affordable water access for all rural people, and it is imperative that Rural Water’s voice and priorities are heard within the Halls of Congress and within our nation’s leadership. Through our combined thousands of rural leaders from every state, we can ensure Congress and the Trump Administration know that WEP is the trusted partner for rural America and must be maintained.

Sign the Pledge

Celebrating National Mentoring Month:  In Berlin, Dave Bassett (L) with Rick Prouse,  apprentice (R)

About the Program:

Water and Wastewater Operations Specialists are imperative to our community for access to clean drinking water and to ensure wastewater effluent is returned to the environment properly. But with close to 50% retiring in the next five years, communities will fail to prosper or eventually even exist if replacements aren’t put in place AND properly trained. A growing population and increased demand for water and wastewater treatment services plus an aging workforce will drive employment growth and qualified, certified Operators will be in high demand.

As part of the National Rural Water Apprenticeship Program, our federally-registered program has been developed in response to the industry’s need to train the next generation of skilled workers and standardize training across the state of Maryland. This 2-year program is designed to train operators through both coursework and on-the-job, experience-based learning and will culminate in MDE certification.

Apprentice Benefits:

  • Earn While You Learn
  • Make A Real Difference In The Community
  • Gain Practical Skills You Can Take Anywhere
  • Train Alongside An Experienced Technician (2 year program)
  • Every community is required to have a certified water / wastewater operations specialist
  • Stable / Non-fluctuating Industry

Utility Benefits:

  • Proven solution to recruit, train, & retain employees
  • Replace retiring workforce
  • Transfer knowledge from experienced technicians to new apprentice
  • 2 years of hands-on training alongside an experienced technician
  • Build a relationship with the apprentice
  • Ensure well-rounded, highly trained employee is produced

Program Updates:

Celebrating National Mentoring Month at MRWA

January is National Mentoring Month, a time to recognize the incredible role mentors play in shaping the future!

At the Maryland Rural Water Association (MRWA), we understand that mentors are the backbone of our Apprenticeship Program. These dedicated individuals provide guidance, share knowledge, and inspire the next generation of water treatment professionals to thrive in their careers.

Why Mentorship Matters

Mentors are more than just teachers—they are trusted advisors, friends, role models, and champions for growth. In our program, mentors:

  • Share hands-on expertise during On-the-Job Training (OJT).
  • Offer valuable advice and encouragement.
  • Help apprentices develop essential skills for a sustainable career in the water industry.

We are incredibly grateful to the mentors who have dedicated their time and effort to support our apprentices. Your guidance is critical to building a strong and skilled workforce for our communities.

We want to give a huge THANK YOU to all our mentors for the impact you’ve made!

How You or Your System Can Participate:

Contact our Apprenticeship Development Coordinator below to discuss how your system can serve as an Apprenticeship host, or how you can sign up as an Apprentice:

Patty Shreves
Apprenticeship Development Coordinator
410-375-1827
Patty.Shreves@md-rwa.org

Questions? Schedule a meeting with Patty.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY PLEDGE – 29 CFR §§ 29.5(b)(21) and 30.3(c) 

The Maryland Rural Water Association will not discriminate against apprenticeship applicants or apprentices based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex (including pregnancy and gender identity), sexual orientation, genetic information, or because they are an individual with a disability or a person 40 years old or older. The Maryland Rural Water Association will take affirmative action to provide equal opportunity in apprenticeship and will operate the apprenticeship program as required under Title 29 of the Code of Federal Regulations, part 30, as amended, and the Maryland State Plan for Equal Employment Opportunity in Apprenticeship and Training.

Those of us in the Water and Wastewater industry are sure to be aware of the many workforce challenges that we face together as an industry. Our industry is slated to lose between 30-50% of our workforce this decade. NRWA asks that you join us by signing the pledge below, in a national effort and campaign that focuses on the positive benefits of building a more diverse workforce.

Please take the pledge here:  https://nrwa.org/nrwa-pledge/