The Wisconsin Bureau of Apprenticeship Standards (BAS) has developed an apprenticeship program for wastewater treatment operators in the state. Apprenticeships consist of 90 percent on-the-job training under the supervision of an experienced worker and 10 percent related classroom. The training and instruction include core topics needed by all apprentices, and additional topics unique to the employer.
Apprentices are paid to learn on the job and to attend related classes. Wages increase progessively. Upon completing the apprenticeship, the apprentice receives a recognized, portable credential as a journey-level (highly skilled) worker, according to Owen Smith of the BAS.
"Apprenticeship trains employees exceptionally well through hands-on experience and classroom instruction in the theory behind the work,” says Smith. “As such, the apprentice can advance to more responsible positions.”
The wastewater treatment operator apprenticeship is funded by a $6 million grant awarded to the BAS by the U.S. Department of Labor. The program was driven primarily by the impending retirement of many wastewater operators and the lack of new operators in the pipeline.
“The vision for the program is that it is applicable to plants that treat 1 mgd or less, because those plants represent 85 percent of the municipalities in Wisconsin,” Smith says. “The apprenticeship program covers 6,000 hours, or about three years.” The program is designed to incorporate operator certifications.
