WASHINGTON, D.C. -- The National Rural Water Association (NRWA) is pleased to announce a significant breakthrough for its Apprenticeship Program with $13.1 million in new federal investments. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has allocated $5.5 million for NRWA's Innovative Water Infrastructure Workforce Development Program, while the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) has awarded $7.6 million to support the development and expansion of NRWA's vital water industry Registered Apprenticeships.
The NRWA Apprenticeship Program has been a top priority for rural America for many years, and these federal funds are the first competitive grant awards ever dedicated to this important effort. They come at a crucial time to address the urgent need for a trained water and wastewater operator workforce. The EPA's announcement on July 11, 2024, highlights a total of $20 million in funding for water workforce training and career development, a part of their Investing in America agenda. Similarly, the DOL's Employment and Training Administration (ETA) has prioritized the inclusion of the water and wastewater sector in its Apprenticeship Building America, Round 2 funding awards for the first time.