NCRWA serves as the official Sponsor of the Registered Apprenticeship Program, partnering with utilities to provide on-the-job training for emerging water and wastewater professional operators. Utilities receive support from NCRWA and designate mentors to lead technical, hands-on learning. Together, NCRWA and the utility ensure apprentices are trained to meet the highest industry standards and become fully licensed operators. NCRWA Workforce Development manages every critical aspect of the apprenticeship journey—so utilities can focus on what they do best: train the apprentices on the job. From tracking on-the-job training logs and overseeing course registrations and completions to providing hands-on and virtual guidance throughout the program, NCRWA ensures apprentices stay on track with continuous support.

​How the NCRWA Registered Apprenticeship Enhances Recruitment and Retention for Your Utility:

• Gain Access to a Vetted Pipeline of Talent: Employers, in partnership with NCRWA Workforce Development, can tap into a list of fully vetted apprentices eager to begin a career in the industry. Employers can train workers with the skills and knowledge needed for their water or wastewater operator jobs, ensuring a licensed workforce-ready operator. 
• Reduced Turnover: Apprenticeships foster strong loyalty and commitment, as workers are invested in the company and trained to its standards, leading to lower turnover rates. 
• Cost Savings: Employers often see reduced recruitment and overtime expenses, along with increased productivity and revenue from their skilled workforce. 
• Improved match between workforce skills and utility demands: The rigorous training process helps match the skills and "character" of the apprentice to the demands of the job and the culture of the utility. 
• Motivation and Loyalty: The combination of paid work experience and a clear career path motivates individuals to commit to the program and the employer. 

 
What are the Benefits of an Apprenticeship?

1. Recruitment and Retention – NCRWA supports utilities in attracting and training talent, helping them build and retain a skilled, committed workforce.
2. Structured Industry and Employee Development Training – Training is tailored to meet both industry-specific needs and individual employee development goals.
3. Return on Investment (ROI) – For every dollar invested in an apprentice, employers see an average return of $1.70—demonstrating a strong investment in both the industry and the local community.
4. Delivers Results - Licensed water and wastewater operators and well-developed employees at the completion of the apprenticeship.

The NCRWA Registered Apprenticeship Program offers a win-win-win solution for apprentices, employers, and the communities they serve. It provides utilities with access to a motivated pipeline of individuals eager to build meaningful careers in the water and wastewater industry for the long term.

Defining features of Registered Apprenticeship:

• Innovative work-based learning model.
• Systematic and Structured Training: Approved by a federally recognized agency ApprenticeshipNC.
• NCRWA and approved providers deliver training.
• Employers provide on-the-job learning using approved guidelines from NCRWA.
• On-the-job learning is conducted under the direction of one (or more) of the employer’s experienced operators (mentor).
• The training results in industry licenses that certify occupational proficiency and a lifelong journey worker certification transferable across the US.

                      
Two tracks:

1. Water Systems Operations Specialist
2. Wastewater Systems Operations Specialist

 

• Approximately One-and-a-Half to Two-Year Apprenticeship
• 4000 hours of On-the-Job Training.
• 288 minimum hours of classroom instruction: industry certifications, employee development, and leadership training.

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Utility Investment:

• The average cost to recruit and onboard a new employee is estimated to be $4,700.00 SHRM.
• For every dollar invested in an apprentice, there is a $1.70 ROI. USDOL
• Investment in the apprenticeship: $ 3,500.00. (Less than $150.00 per month investment in building your workforce.)
• Net return of $2450.00 over the term of apprenticeship.

How Do I Connect with NCRWA Apprentices?

1. Schedule a meeting to review the Standards of Apprenticeship and details of the NCRWA Registered Apprenticeship Training.
2. Who should be in attendance: Town, Utility, and HR leadership.
3. Review and discuss comparative BLS data, NC Commerce: WDBs: average wages for W and WW Operators in North Carolina and your locality.
4. Sign the Employer Agreement
5. NCRWA will connect the utility with apprentices.

 
To learn more about the NCRWA Registered Apprenticeship Program and how you can engage with vetted, dedicated apprentices at your utility, contact:
 
Carolyn Bynum
Workforce Development Coordinator
[email protected]

STANDARDS OF APPRENTICESHIP

EMPLOYER AGREEMENT