WaterWORCs Program

The program is supported by the U.S. Department of Labor Workforce Opportunity for Rural Communities (WORC) Initiative. The goal of the WaterWORCs program is to encourage students in high school, technical school, or college to pursue careers in the water sector in their rural, Appalachian communities, many of whom need qualified technical staff. The total cost of the WaterWORCS in Appalachia program is $1,448,793. $1,448,793 (100%) is funded through a U.S. Department of Labor – Employment and Training Administration grant.

 

As a first step toward this goal, WaterWORCs has established a pilot program to offer water and wastewater operator internship opportunities in McDowell, WV, Boyd, KY, Greene and Cocke, TN, and Wise, WV. 

 

The internship program will consist of paid, work-based learning placements with local water and wastewater utilities in each community for high school and secondary/technical school students or other new entrants to the workforce during the summers of 2024, 2025, and 2026. In most cases, time accrued in these internship positions can be used to meet the experience requirements for certification of water professionals in West Virginia, Kentucky, Tennessee, and Virginia, thus students completing the program will be well-qualified to pursue careers in the water sector. Learn More about eligibility and apply on our partner's page.