The agreement provides funding to the center for watershed protection, INC

This $999,520 Cooperative Agreement award from the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) Innovative Water Infrastructure Workforce Development Program (CFDA 66.445) will support the Center for Watershed Protection, Inc. in accelerating career tracks and providing access to water utility workforce opportunities. Key activities include establishing regional industry and workforce development collaborations to address water utility employment needs, coordinating candidate development in areas with high unemployment or a high proportion of retirement-eligible utility employees, and managing workforce training, community outreach, and networking for potential employers and employees. The anticipated deliverables include new partnerships with community organizations, educational institutions, labor groups, utilities, and other stakeholders to address long-term water utility workforce needs. The expected outcomes include enhanced sustainable regional collaborations that support the water utility sector's workforce requirements. Sub-awardees will represent municipalities and develop workforce programs, training, and community engagement initiatives.

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 regional industry and workforce development collaborations to address water utility employment needs, and coordinating candidate development, particularly in areas of high unemployment or for water utilities, with a high proportion of retirement-eligible employees. Subrecipient:the subawardees of this grant will represent municipalities, develop workforce program, manage workforce training, community outreach, networking for potential employers and potential employees, and develop workforce training.outcomes:the anticipated deliverables include establishment of new partnerships with community organizations, educational institutions, labor organizations, utilities, or other organizations to address the workforce needs of water utilities. The expected outcomes include enhanced sustainable regional collaborations that support the long-term water utility workforce needs. The intended beneficiaries include individuals who participate in the program, the general public, utilities, and underserved communities.