A hands-on pathway into Utah’s water and wastewater workforce.
A hands-on pathway into Utah’s water and wastewater workforce.
Build a career that matters.
The RWAU Apprenticeship Program gives participants a direct pathway into the water and wastewater industry through paid, hands-on experience, structured training, mentorship, and certification support.
Two years of hands-on operator development.
The program is built in partnership with system sponsors, RWAU, and state and federal partners. A water or wastewater system sponsors an apprentice, either a new hire or current employee, while RWAU helps guide the apprentice through structured instruction and real-world application.
Earn while you learn.
Career Pathway
Gain practical skills, industry certifications, and long-term career stability without taking on college debt.
Mentorship
Train alongside an experienced operator who provides one-on-one support during the program.
Community Impact
Work in a field that protects public health, supports safe drinking water, and safeguards the environment.
What apprentices complete.
On-the-Job Training
- 4,000 hours of on-the-job training
- Completed over approximately 2 years
- Work process schedule divided into required sections
- Hands-on experience with a sponsoring water or wastewater system
Related Technical Instruction
- 288 hours of related technical instruction
- In-person training
- Online instructor-led training
- Online self-paced training
- Monthly RWAU training opportunities may count toward RTI hours
Training tied to industry credentials.
Apprentices may complete certifications connected to water or wastewater operations, Utility Management, Cross Connection Program Administration, Water Rights, Water Conservation, and other related areas. Certification requirements vary by water or wastewater designation.
Interested, but not yet hired by a system?
Individuals who are not yet employed by a water or wastewater system may still request an application. After RWAU reviews eligibility, unmatched applicants may be placed into a pool that can be shared with member systems looking for new employees and willing to hire an apprentice.
What sponsoring systems provide.
Employer Commitments
- Complete employer participation agreement
- Complete a wage scale for the apprentice
- Provide progressively increasing wages based on completion requirements
- Meet minimum wage expectations by the end of the program
Mentor & Work Process
- Assign a mentor who is a licensed operator
- Provide one-on-one support and field training
- Follow the required work process schedule
- Support the apprentice through the 4,000 required training hours
Guidance from enrollment to completion.
RWAU helps apprentices and systems understand program requirements, build a tentative two-year training schedule, track progress, collect documentation, and prepare for the Department of Labor apprenticeship certificate once all requirements are met.
Basic eligibility requirements.
Age & Education
- 18 years or older
- High school diploma, GED, or equivalent
Work Readiness
- Capable of performing physical labor
- Valid driver’s license
Screening
- Must pass a drug screen
- Must pass a background check
Ready to learn more?
Apply through the NRWA apprenticeship portal or contact RWAU with questions about eligibility, system sponsorship, or program requirements.
RWAU operates the apprenticeship program in accordance with applicable federal equal opportunity requirements.