Grand Rapids Community College, the city of Grand Rapids, and Bay College in Escanaba are teaming up for a project that builds a pipeline to careers in the water and wastewater industry.
The program is supported by a $500,000 U.S. Environmental Protection Agency grant. GRCC, the city of Grand Rapids, and Bay College will use the grant award to introduce middle and high school students and adult learners from neighborhoods with high unemployment to water and wastewater careers.
To learn more about the program visit GRCC Water & Wastewater Treatment Programs.
The program exposed individuals to the various water and wastewater careers at the Lake Michigan Filtration Plant and Water Resource Recovery Facility.
Each cohort is made up of six individuals eager to learn about the water and wastewater industry. The individuals work 24 hours a week for 52 weeks as Utility Aide Interns in their area of interest. This can include working with the Water/Wastewater Operators or Utility Maintenance Mechanics. The hourly wage for a Utility Aide Intern is $17.71/hour.
In addition to the internship, the Utility Aide Interns are required to complete online coursework through the Bay College Water Resource Management Program.
Applications for the second cohort is now open until July 7th. To complete the online application, visit Water to Work Career Pathway Application – selected individuals will begin their internship in August.
Learn more about the program here.
Read about Daniel Martinez, Utility Aide Intern, and his experience in the program.
Is your child interested in the environment, sustainability, or STEM?
Join us to learn about the lifecycle of our water, how it is treated and returned to the environment, while exploring a variety of careers through hands-on activities! Campers will tour the drinking water plant near the lakeshore and the wastewater treatment plant in Grand Rapids for a behind-the-scenes experience in water treatment. The cost of the camp is $25.
Dates of the Camp:
- July 25 - 27
- August 1-3
- August 8-10
Register Today!
Download Flyer (PDF, 633KB)
Thank you to all who attended the Water Pool-ooza events at the Lake Michigan Filtration Plant and GRCC M-Tec.
Over 113 people attended, 50 people volunteered, and 25 community partners hosted a resource table – making the events a great success!
Thank you to our sponsors, Moore & Bruggink, Fishbeck, and Infrastructure Alternatives Inc.
We can’t wait to see you next year!