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Peoria Designs Apprentice Program to Develop Qualified Workforce for Future
The city of Peoria's water and waste department has the potential to lose more than 60 percent its employees over the next 15 years. In anticipation of this
shortage of qualified staff, the city has developed the state's first municipal Utility Water Operator Registered Apprenticeship Program.
The city worked with the Department of Commerce, Apprenticeship Office, to develop the program to train a qualified workforce of the future. The apprenticeship
model will allow the training of water operators bringing them from no skills to high skills.
The program includes 6,000 hours of on-the-job training, college coursework and mandatory certifications. The first two apprentices are currently assigned to a
water treatment plant and wastewater collection site.
"Being a city utilities apprentice is an opportunity of a lifetime," said apprentice Anthony Nunez. "Don't get me wrong, there is a lot of dedication needed to
successfully complete this program."
According to Water Sector Workforce Sustainability Report produced for the Water Research Foundation in 2008, the water industry is anticipated to experience a
demand for 45 percent personnel growth rate over the coming years.
The Arizona Department of Commerce, Apprenticeship Office has approved the city of Peoria's program for acceptance as a "registered" program. The Apprenticeship
Office oversees the program for the U.S. Department of Labor and by awarding registration has recognized that the program requirements meet a standard of
excellence to develop journey workers in the field of water utilities that will be recognized throughout the state of Arizona and the United States.
The city of Peoria is presently working to develop additional programs for other occupational specialties that will provide the opportunity to attract and retain
a highly qualified, highly skilled workforce to meet the municipal demands of the future.
For more information on the city of Peoria, visit www.peoriaaz.gov.
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League of Arizona Cities and Towns
1820 W. Washington St.
Phoenix, AZ 85007
Phone: 602-258-5786
Fax: 602-253-3874
http://www.azleague.org
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