Information	Apply	Pre-Apprenticeship

The apprenticeship program is a two-year program that draws training resources from the system sponsor, our state and federal partners, and RWAU. A water or wastewater system will either employ a new employee or enroll a current employee in the program by agreeing to the sponsor. Together, the sponsor and RWAU will work with the apprentice to train and instruct the apprentice over two years. Over the course of the apprenticeship the apprentice will become a well-qualified and fully prepared operator that can tackle the needs of different or wastewater systems throughout Utah. 

• 4000 training hours from the system sponsor 
• 288 hours of additional training from RWAU
  • The instruction will be part in-class training and part online webinars
    • The DDW & DWQ will be assisting RWAU in the  of our online courses
  • The online training will be provided at no cost to those who are enrolled as apprentices
• Certifications in Water or Wastewater Operations, Utility Management, Cross Connection, Water Rights, and Water Conservation, etc. (certifications will vary depending on water/wastewater designation)

If you are an individual who has not yet been employed by a water or wastewater system, but would like to join as an apprentice and eventually be hired onto a system, the process is slightly different. Once you have requested an application, you will work on filling out all the required forms, similar to an already match apprentice. After RWAU has deemed the applicant for the program, apprentices who have not yet been matched with a system will go into a pool of applicants. The pool of eligible applicants will be to our members who may be looking for a new employee and would accept the terms of hiring an apprentice. RWAU is currently working on formulating a process to disseminate that information to our members. Look for updates in the future. 

Each apprentice will have a sponsor (water/wastewater system) that will the apprentice and agree to provide training on a one-on-one basis. The required number of hours is 4000 (roughly a 2-year working period based on a 40-hour workweek). The sponsor has a number of obligations required for the system to be able to host an apprentice, for example: 

• Wage Schedule
  • Apprentices shall be paid a progressively increasing wage schedule based on the current salary of an hourly journey worker. that salary is $16.11. By the end of the two years, the apprentice will need to be making that much an hour. 
• Work Process Schedule
  • The 4000 hours are broken up into five sections with hour requirements for each section.

• Sponsors also agree to help monitor and track employee's progress and training hours throughout the two-years. 
• Sponsors will also be required to submit the following documents, but are not limited to:
  • An employee letter 
  • An intent to hire form
  • A follow-up interview form, and 
  • An employer acceptance agreement form  
• Additionally, if the apprentice is already hired by the sponsor they will need to work with RWAU to secure the following as part as the apprenticeship application:
  • Drug screening 
  • Background check
  • Proof of completion of educational requirements

In addition to the 4000 hours of training required by the sponsor, RWAU will provide an additional 288 hours of instruction. The apprentice will fulfill some of these hours by attending pre-established in-class by RWAU. The majority of these happen multiple times a  so that the apprentice can plan accordingly. The rest of the hours will be fulfilled by online classes (webinars) or other variable one-day in-class . The bulk of the in-class will be certifications, as mentioned earlier. 

Rural Water will also be tracking and information collection for each apprentice. We have a dedicated team that will work with the apprentice, the system, and anyone else involved to track and monitor the progress of the apprentice throughout the two-year program. the end, RWAU will help the apprentice apply for the apprenticeship certificate through the department of labor, assuming all requirements have been met. 

Along with the  to work on all required content for the two years, including any and all certifications that are required for the course. Apprentices will also be required to submit all required documentation for the program. This includes, but is not limited to: 

• An application request form
• An apprenticeship application
• an eligibility letter
• a interview with sponsor/employer
• Standard media release 

Apprentices will be required to go to some in-class courses that are held throughout the state of Utah. The apprentice is for the registration and travel costs associated with those  and will need to work with his or her system to make sure he or she can attend the . Once enrolled, RWAU will help each apprentice review the program requirements and create a tentative two-year schedule for completing the program and all requirements.  

To request an application, please complete and submit the form at the link below:

Apprenticeship Application Request Form

Each year we will be offering 2 Apprenticeship Scholarships to the apprenticeship program. Contact Sonia or the RWAU office if you or your system is interested in applying for the scholarship. 

• All required in-class training fees for both years in the program
  • This could be for a one-day training, a certification, or conference attendance. Anything required by the apprenticeship program that RWAU hosts
• Curriculum fees on other required classes
• Elective Rural Water course fees

• Exam Fees
• Additional / optional training manuals
• Non Rural Water elective course fees
• Travel costs or travel reimbursement 
• Reimbursement for missed work hours 

When funding is available, full ride apprenticeship scholarships can be awarded through funding Rural Water receives from the Utah Economic Assistance Grant. This funding is distributed on a first-come, first-serve basis depending upon eligibility and completion of the apprenticeship application. Contact Sonia or the RWAU office if you or your system is interested in applying for this scholarship.

• All required in-class training fees for both years in the program
  • This could be for a one-day training, a certification, or conference attendance. Anything required by the apprenticeship program that RWAU hosts
• Curriculum fees on other required classes
• Elective Rural Water course fees
• Exam Fees 

• Additional / optional training manuals
• Non Rural Water elective course fees
• Travel costs or travel reimbursement 
• Reimbursement for missed work hours