The agreement provides funding to the water tower institute, INC

This $2,033,378 Cooperative Agreement, awarded by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Office of Water under the Innovative Water Infrastructure Workforce Development Program (CFDA 66.445), provides funding to The Water Tower Institute, Inc. to accelerate career tracks in the water utilities sector and expand access to water utility workforce opportunities.

The key activities include establishing targeted internship, apprenticeship, pre-apprenticeship, and post-secondary bridge programs for skilled water utility trades. The sub-awardees, such as Georgia Gwinnett College, Rehabilitation Enables Dreams, Inc., and Resilience Innovation Hub, will develop culturally responsive recruitment and training materials, create a national network of certified water-industry trainers, and collect data on program efficacy. The anticipated outcomes include an increased number of individuals completing these programs and securing water and wastewater utility jobs, with a focus on serving underserved communities.

Specifically, the recipient will accelerate career tracks in the water utilities sector and provide access to water utility workforce opportunities. Activities:the activities include establishing targeted internship, apprenticeship, pre-apprenticeship, and post-secondary bridge programs for skilled water utility trades. Subrecipient:the grant recipient's sub awardees will create an initial strategy for the development of new internships and post-secondary bridge programs. They will also enhance existing training tools, develop new recruitment and training materials, and create a national network of certified water-industry trainers. They will collect data on participants' knowledge and experiences at the training programs, as well as about the efficacy of the training materials to provide feedback and support potential revisions. They will also implement recruitment and training efforts through its partners.outcomes:the anticipated deliverables include on-the-job training, including registered apprenticeships. The expected outcomes include an increased number of individuals who have completed internship, apprenticeship, pre-apprenticeship, and/or post-secondary bridge programs and been placed in water and wastewater utility jobs. The intended beneficiaries include individuals who participate in the program, the general public, utilities, and underserved communities.