About the Program

Evergreen Rural Water offers three apprenticeship programs: Water Distribution Manager (WDM), Water Treatment Plant Operator (WTPO), and Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator (WWTPO). These two year programs were developed in response to the growing demand for skilled operators as more and more experienced professionals reach retirement age.

Applications may be submitted year round, and apprentices may now start the program in either August or February. All apprentices will begin related supplemental instruction (RSI) classes together at our February conference, allowing everyone to stay on the same class schedule and move through the program on the same training track. Apprentices who start in August will be officially registered and able to begin logging on the job training (OJT) hours right away, while apprentices who start in February will begin tracking OJT hours when they begin RSI classes.

PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS:
•  4,000 hours of on-the-job training
•  288 hours of related supplemental instruction (RSI)
•  Periodic worksite checks
•  Monthly evaluations
•  Expert mentoring

The curriculum is designed to enhance and prepare apprentices to become fully qualified in multiple aspects of water and wastewater operations while building the knowledge, experience, and confidence needed for long term success in the industry.

VIEW OUR WA LABOR & INDUSTRIES REGISTERED APPRENTICESHIP STANDARDS


APPRENTICE INFORMATION

Must be employed by a utility that has applied to be an approved training agent. Please check with your utility.

Applicants must comply with the following criteria:
•  Applicants must be currently employed by a water or wastewater system & meet employers minimum standards
•  18 years old or older
•  Have a high school diploma or GED
•  Physically capable to perform the essential functions of the apprenticeship program
•  Applicants must be able to attend all formal training (both virtual and in-person) for the duration of the 2-year curriculum


EMPLOYER INFORMATION

•  Provide onsite supervision for the On the Job Training (OJT) portion of the program
•  Ratio of apprentices to journey-level employee(s) may not exceed one apprentice per journey-level worker
•  Maintain employment and OJT records
•  Provide Wage Step increases for apprentices

The Evergreen Rural Water of Washington Apprenticeship Committee (ERWoWAC) commits to the following Equal Opportunity Pledge. ERWoWAC 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 ERWoWAC 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. The ERWoWAC will undertake appropriate outreach and positive recruitment efforts that would reasonably be expected to increase minorities’ and women’s participation in apprenticeship by expanding the opportunities of minorities and women to become eligible for apprenticeship selection.

ERWoW Contact Info

Mailing Address: Po Box 2300 Shelton, WA 98584
Physical Address: 11840 North US Highway 101 Shelton, WA 98584
Phone:  (360) 462.9287
Email:  info@erwow.org

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