The apprenticeship program is a two-year program (the time required for the program, part-time and full-time are welcome to participate, so actual completion time will vary based on circumstances). The program is an administrative partnership between The Department of Labor, RWAU, the system employer, and of course the apprentice. Together the apprentice will go through a combination of training content and experience-based learning to meet the required standards of the program. Once these standards have been met, the apprentice will graduate from the program with all state certifications required and two years of well-developed experience. He or she will also receive a certificate of journeyman/journeywoman from the Department of Labor, Office of Apprenticeship.

Program Requirements

The system (employer) that hires an apprenticeship must have a journeyman (experienced individual) that can monitor and provide assistance to the apprentice. This can be a volunteer to the system or supervisor.

Any experience or training that can apply to the program will count as "time/experience served" and can be counted against the hour requirements. This must be discussed during the application process.

The program consists of the following hour requirements:
  • 4000 hours of on-the-job (OJT) training from the individual’s employer (system/city/company).
  • 288 hours of instructional training from RWAU. These hours are divided between required in-training and a series of elective/required online training (currently being developed). These will include all required certifications.
  • The apprentice must also go through a few HR online training classes such as sexual harassment and EEO.

Both the OJT hours and instructional training are divided into topics that require a certain amount of hours devoted to that topic.

The topics for OJT are:
  • Tools, Equipment, and Work Place Safety-240 hours
  • Vehicles and Heavy Equipment- 400 hours
  • System O&M- 1920 hours
  • Quality Control- 960 hours
  • Logistics, Reports, and Supervision- 480 hours
  • TOTAL HOURS: 4000
The topics for the instructional hours are:
  • Orientation - 2 Hours
  • Safety- 28 hours
  • Professional Requirements- 6 hours
  • Operations & Maintenance- 12 hours
  • Operator Mathematics- 12 hours
  • Security & Emergency Response- 24 hours
  • Laws & Regulations- 32 hours
  • Overview of Construction Projects- 16
  • TOTAL HOURS: 288
Increasing Wage Scale

By the end of the program, the apprentice must be at or above the required minimum hourly rate. The rate previously established is $16.11. If an apprentice is not already at or above $16.11, we recommend this increasing wage scale.

Two-Year Term Apprentice Wage Schedule
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Quarter One

(0-6 Months)

 45%

Quarter Three

(12-18 Months)

 75%

Quarter Two

(6-12 Months)

 60%

Quarter Four

(18-24 Months)

 90%

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Enrollment Procedure

There are two types of enrollment processes here.

If an applicant has already been hired, he or she will do the following:
  • Applicant or sponsor (employer) will request information about the program
  • If still interested, the applicant will fill out the apprenticeship program application
    • The application requires an official transcript copy from the applicant's most recent schooling.
    • The application also requires that a drug test and background check be completed.
    • If the employer has completed these a signed letter from the system must be sent stating that the applicant has submitted and passed and the date both the drug test and background check were administered. If a drug test and background check have not been completed, RWAU will compile these at cost to the applicant.
  • Once the application has been submitted, RWAU will issue a letter of eligibility to the applicant. The sponsor (employer) will then need to submit:
    • a follow-up closing interview form as well as the agreement to accept this apprentice.
    • The applicant will also need to submit a standard media release form
  • Once approved, RWAU will create a tracking account for the apprentice and a record with the Department of Labor. Once the record has been submitted and approved, the apprentice can start working on the program.
  • RWAU will keep track of records. The applicant must also submit any experience or training he or she feels should count towards the program now.
If an applicant does not have an employer (Sponsor):
  • The applicant will request information, and if interested will request the application
  • The applicant will fill out the application to completion
    • Must submit official transcripts from the last schooling completed
    • RWAU will set up a drug test and background check for the applicant (the applicant is responsible for the cost of these tests)
  • Once the application has been completed, RWAU will review and accept, or ask for corrections.
  • The applicant will submit a standard media release form
  • RWAU will place the applicant on an eligibility list and will along with the applicant seek an employer in the preferred area of the applicant

  • Once a sponsor/employer has been secured, RWAU will issue a letter of eligibility to the applicant. The sponsor (employer) will then need to submit a follow-up closing interview form as well as the agreement to accept this apprentice.

  • Once approved, RWAU will create a tracking account for the apprentice and a record with the Department of Labor. Once the record has been submitted and approved, the apprentice can start working on the program.

  • RWAU will keep track of records. The applicant must also submit any experience or training he or she feels should count towards the program now.

Eligibility Requirements
Requirements for the Applicant:
  • Applicant must possess a high school diploma or GED
  • Applicant cannot be enrolled until an employer/sponsor has been procured
  • Applicant (or employer) must provide proof of background check and drug test, or must submit to a background check and drug test
  • Applicant must submit and sign all required forms
Requirements for the Sponsors:
  • The system must fill and submit all required forms
  • The system must agree to standard pay scale (the Apprentice must hit $16.11 by the end of the

    program. If not already at $16.11, the sponsor must adhere to a gradual increase scale over program time. Ignore if starting rate is above the required minimum.)

  • The system must agree to provide a journeyman to the apprentice

  • The system must agree to supervise and submit system hours to RWAU, and work with RWAU to keep accurate and up-to-date records

Cost of the Program

These are the costs associated with the apprenticeship program:

Required In-Class Trainings

The RWAU in-class courses required by the apprentice will be his or her responsibility. These classes vary in cost and are subject to change and depend on membership with RWAU as well.

Here is a list of the required classes (subject to change):
  • Operator Certification- $205-$425
  • Cross Connection Certification- $595-$695
  • Water Conservation Certification- $195-$295
  • Water Rights Certification- $200
  • OSHA trench training- $80
  • CPR/AED/FirstAidCertification-$75
  • Systems Security & Defense Forum- $100
  • Drinking Water Source/Watershed Protection Forum- $125
  • Utility Management Certification- $225-425
Additional Costs:
  • Additional costs can sometimes include the certification test cost.
    • Sometimes the cost of the test is included in the class cost. It depends on the cost.
  • Travel & Lodging
    • If travel and lodging is required, it is the responsibility of the apprentice or the apprentice’s employer
  • Manuals/Textbooks
    • Currently, there is funding in the program for the apprentice to receive the required manuals at no cost. This includes all manuals required by the program. Once the funding runs out, the apprentice or employer is responsible for these costs.
Potential Funding Opportunities
  • Department of Workforce Services (DWS)
    • This funding is based on the eligibility of the apprentice. There are three types of funding that can come from this.
      • OJT funds- these help cover costs of the training
      • Materials funds- these funds help cover the costs of any training material needed by the apprentice
      • Funding for Veterans- If the applicant is a veteran, he or she can be eligible for additional funding.
    • The process to apply for these funds is through DWS. I will attach a copy of the instructions for working with DWS to apply for these funds.
  • Half-Ride Scholarship
    • Currently, RWAU has one half-ride scholarship remaining for the program. This scholarship covers the following:
      • 50% of all required classes and training courses
      • 50% of any required certification exam fee (first attempt only)
      • 50% of any and all required materials for the program
    • Note that this scholarship does not and will not cover any travel or lodging expenses
  • Annual Full-ride Scholarship
    • RWAU awards one full-rides scholarship yearly. The winner is announced at RWAU’s Annual Conference in Saint George.
    • Apply now