1. Apprenticeships & Workforce development
Jill Miller SC Rural Water Association

2. Industry workforce development
It is projected that 37% of water utility workers and 32% of wastewater utility workers will be eligible for retirement within the next decade.
The anticipated loss of current utility employees is between 30% and 50% within the next 10 years.

3. Current number of water and wastewater operators - SC
Total: 8,474
Biological wastewater: 2,597
Physical/chemical wastewater: 1,824
Water distribution: 2,169
Water treatment: 1,884

4. Average Age of operators / years licensed
Biological wastewater:
47 years old; 15.8 years licensed; 47 years – oldest on file
Physical/chemical wastewater:
48 years old; years licensed; 40 years – oldest on file
Water distribution:
46 years old; 9.8 years licensed; years – oldest on file (grandfathered in 2000)
Water treatment:
47 years old; 15.7 years licensed; 49 years – oldest on file

5. SC w/ww Apprenticeship programs
Apprenticeship Carolina
Central Carolina Technical College
- Utility registered programs
Apprenticeship Rural Water

6. Utility specific programs
Berkeley County Water & Sanitation
Charleston Water System
Chester Metropolitan District*
City of Columbia*
City of Dillan*
City of Florence*
City of Rock Hill*
Dorchester County
Georgetown County Water & Sewer District*
ReWa*
Spartanburg Water

7. Apprenticeship rural water
Program initiated nationally through National Rural Water Association
SCRWA standards registered with US Department of Labor under the NRWA Nationally Certified Guidelines
2 year program
hours of on the job learning (OJL)
- 288 hours “classroom” training and instruction
Apprentice completes program with a C level License
Ultimate goal is to have a pool of utilities and pool of apprentices

8. On the job learning

9. Job related course instruction
144 hours / year; 288 hours by program completion
Guidelines developed by National Rural Water Association and customized by SCRWA
Host utility can substitute and/or add any industry related instruction as deemed appropriate

10. Get your utility involved…
Jill Miller Executive Director South Carolina Rural Water Association