Apprenticeship Program

Program Overview/Eligibility

Two-year time-based program with 4,000 hours of on-the-job training combined with classroom instruction
Two occupations: Water System Operations Specialist & Wastewater System Operations Specialist
Minimum qualifications for entry into the program
Sets a wage scale with pay increases every six months

Sponsor/Employer Responsibilities

Provide a mentor for on-the-job training (OJT)
Maintain employment and OJT records
Six-month pay increases for Apprentice – The Apprentice should be paid a progressively increasing wage schedule based on the current hourly rate of a journey worker. That hourly rate is $16.11 per hour. By the end of the two years, the apprentice will need to be making at least that much per hour.

Apprentice Responsibilities

Must be at least 18 years of age
Must be a high school graduate or have a GED
Be respectful of the mentor’s knowledge, time, effort, and energy
Must have the aptitude to learn

The Apprenticeship program is more than certification and licensing; it is a well-rounded program that teaches the apprentice how to perform the job, not just how to pass a test.

Apprentices successfully completing the program will receive a nationally recognized credential signed by the US Secretary of Labor. Over time, the program will become the industry standard for producing well-qualified, fully proficient water professionals.

Course Curriculum

Introduction
Safety
State and Federal Regulations
Operator Role and Responsibilities
Computer/Technology Skills
Introduction to Hand/Power Tools

Basic Biological Principals
Introduction to Collection Systems
Water/Wastewater Treatment Processes
Introduction to System Mapping
Introduction to Applied Math
Pumps and Motors

Sampling
Introduction to Construction Management
Working with Funding Agencies
Workload Management
Customer Relations 101

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Non-Discrimination Statement

Louisiana Rural Water Association (LRWA) 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. Louisiana Rural Water Association (LRWA) 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.

Meet Our Apprentices