In an era when skilled trade workers are in short supply, New Jersey American Water is doing something refreshingly proactive—training its own future workforce. The utility has launched the fifth annual Water UP! (Water Utility Pipeline) program, a 10-week workforce development initiative now hosted at Essex County College (ECC) in partnership with its Short Hills Operations Center.
Running from September 29 through December 3, 2025, this year’s cohort includes 13 residents from Newark, Irvington, Belleville, Bloomfield, West Orange, Union, and Plainfield, each selected through a competitive application and interview process. The program blends classroom learning, field training, and professional development to prepare participants for careers in the water and wastewater industries—a sector critical to infrastructure resilience but facing a significant talent shortage.
“Water UP! is more than a training program—it’s a launchpad for lifelong careers in water,” said Mark McDonough, President of New Jersey American Water. “Together with Essex County College, we’re building a workforce that reflects the communities we serve while ensuring safe, reliable drinking water for generations to come.”
Building the Next Generation of Water Professionals
The Water UP! curriculum equips trainees with both technical know-how and soft skills. Participants earn an OSHA 30 certification, gain hands-on experience at New Jersey American Water facilities, and observe live utility operations for practical exposure. Classroom instruction at ECC covers everything from field safety and system maintenance to customer service and compliance—core skills for high-demand roles like:
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Operations Specialist
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Utility Mechanic
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Water Quality & Environmental Compliance Technician
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Customer Service Representative
Upon graduation, participants receive technical elective college credits, a stipend, and access to a career fair featuring recruiters from New Jersey American Water and its industry partners.
“This program is a powerful example of how education and industry can work together to create real opportunity,” said Dr. Augustine A. Boakye, President of Essex County College. “Water UP! gives Essex County residents the tools and confidence to thrive in a high-demand field.”
Addressing the Skilled Labor Gap
Since launching in 2021, Water UP! has trained more than 40 participants across Camden, Union, Atlantic, and Essex counties, with many graduates securing jobs in the utility and construction sectors. The program exemplifies a growing national trend: companies directly investing in community-based talent pipelines to counter an aging workforce and tightening labor market in essential services.
By coupling industry partnerships with accessible education, New Jersey American Water isn’t just preparing people for jobs—it’s building the local talent infrastructure that keeps clean water flowing.
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