Origin Story Why Develop the WorkForceBecome an ApprenticeI want an ApprenticeTAUD RegionsPartnershipsScholarshipsApprentices
The Problem
In the next five to ten years, at least fifty percent of Tennessee’s Water and Wastewater workforce will retire and require replacement. In order to train and equip the necessary workforce, Tennessee will need an additional 2,100 individuals to enter public service and acquire the requisite skills and tools.
Many labor issues plaguing Tennessee stymie efforts like this apprenticeship. An increasing number of water and wastewater treatment operators reaching retirement age is one of the issues facing the water sector. The rate at which people retire exceeds the rate at which they are replaced. It is essential that more operators be trained to replace the retiring workforce. Sixty-five percent of grade four water and wastewater treatment operators are projected to retire over the next decade. This makes up approximately 850 of the most trained and experienced professionals. In addition, around fifty percent of all licensed water and wastewater operators in the state will retire within the same time range.
Let’s Get to Work!
At least fifty percent of the workforce in Tennessee’s water and wastewater treatment facilities will retire within the next ten years, posing a crisis for these facilities. However, there is a severe shortage of newly licensed operators, as only a small number are licensed each year to replace retirees. Low pass rates on state certification exams, which necessitate adequate training and preparation, pose a significant barrier to acquiring operators. Smaller, rural facilities frequently cannot afford this type of training, making it difficult for their employees to pass the examination. In addition, wage issues make it difficult for facilities to recruit and retain quality workers, particularly in smaller, rural communities.
To address this issue, the Tennessee Association of Utility Districts (TAUD) has collaborated with the National Rural Water Association to create the TAUD Workforce Development Program, a registered apprenticeship program that provides training and financial aid to individuals entering the water and wastewater treatment field. The ultimate goal of the program is to increase the number of employees who can pass state licensing examinations by producing multi-certified operators with knowledge of both water and wastewater treatment disciplines. Since receiving approval in 2020, the program has attracted outside funding from corporate sponsor Hawkins Chemicals Inc. and has 27 participants in 13 counties.
Without a sufficient number of trained operators, smaller, rural facilities run the risk of experiencing disastrous operational consequences. TAUD’s program provides affordable training to produce a skilled workforce that is capable of resolving Tennessee’s workforce issue.
Registered Pre-Apprenticeship Program
In 2024, TAUD Apprenticeship partnered with Fayetteville Public Utilities (FPU) to launch a Department of Labor Registered Pre-Apprenticeship Program for local high school students interested in the water industry. Fayetteville High School and Lincoln County High School selected students to participate in this workforce development initiative.
FPU provided highly trained staff, facilities, and resources to deliver a comprehensive curriculum covering water treatment processes and management. Additionally, students:
- Participated in higher education campus tours
- Completed a certification course
- Engaged in a community service-learning project
In 2025, the program expanded to include students from Riverside Christian Academy.
Program Expansion to Obion County
Also in 2025, the program expanded to Obion County, where the Town of Gleason launched a pre-apprenticeship program allowing students to gain hands-on experience by working at the municipal water treatment facility during school hours. Participants are:
- Mentored by a state-licensed water treatment operator
- Trained through intensive on-the-job experience
- Paid for their participation
The mentor is a graduate of a registered apprenticeship program, adding further depth to the training. The town contributes staff, facilities, and resources to support the initiative.
Leading the Way
These two programs are the first water industry pre-apprenticeships in the state, setting a new standard for workforce development in the field.
Welcome!
Welcome to Rural Water and the National Rural Water Apprenticeship Program! If you are looking for a stable, promising career where you will be able to serve your community and make a difference in everyday lives, learning from some of the best water and wastewater operators in the nation, apply to become an apprentice in the water and wastewater industry. There will always be a need for water and wastewater professionals and there is no better time than now to become the next generation of respected professionals in the most vital industry in the world: Water.
Careers
Thousands of hard-working men and women protect our environment and ensure the health and safety of its citizens by providing access to safe, affordable drinking water and effective sanitation management. Water and Wastewater Operation Specialists have a wide range of skills from computer technology to heavy machinery, from financial understanding to regulatory compliance. This profession works both indoors and outdoors and must interact and work with engineers, chemists, management staff and laboratory staff. Rural utility operators typically are responsible for management, operations, and maintenance of a system. They can also be responsible for inspecting equipment, monitoring daily activity, maintaining regular test samples and ensure that safety standards are met by staying current on environmental laws and regulations.
About the Apprenticeship Program
The NRWA Apprenticeship Program has provided the guidelines to states that lays a firm foundation for the apprentices to thrive upon completion. With little to no-cost, apprentices will attend an approximate 2-year training program through a State Association. From classroom instruction and on-the-job training, you are provided the tools necessary to be a successful operation specialist in your community. During your apprenticeship, you will earn-while-you-learn with knowledgeable, passionate people who strive to deliver clean drinking water to their community and treat wastewater before returning it to the environment. This program starts as a job and emerges as a solid and secure career as either a water operations specialist or wastewater operations specialist.
Opportunities
Since more than 90% of the US is being serviced by small and rural utilities, career opportunities are everywhere. When an apprentice receives its NRWA approval of completion and US Department of Labor Certificate, the apprentice will have a wide range of career prospects across the country, with no debt to repay. There will always be a need for water and wastewater professionals. And the NRWA Apprenticeship Program, through its State Associations and utility members, will ensure highly skilled professionals are prepared and ready to become part of the respected Rural Water family.
About NRWA
The National Rural Water Association is the largest public drinking water and sanitation utility organization representing the interests of more than 31,000 water and wastewater utilities nationwide. NRWA provides training and technical assistance through 49 affiliated State Rural Water Associations dedicated to supporting and promoting the water and wastewater professionals that serve small communities across the United States. NRWA and the State Affiliates provide training on operator certification, financial sustainability, environmental compliance, utility management and governance to over 80,000 water professionals annually in all 50 states.
TUA Contact Form
TAUD REGIONS & INFORMATION
Dear TAUD Members,
The Cumberland River Compact has partnered with the Tennessee Association of Utility Districts to offer water resources education since 2012. The Cumberland River Compact is a water conservation nonprofit that works to ensure clean and abundant water for the millions of people and thousands of species in our region. Over the past several years, the Compact has worked alongside TAUD to raise awareness about careers in the water industry by working with middle and high school teachers. We provide teacher workshops and developed a hands-on water resources curriculum that is freely available to Tennessee educators.
During our programs with teachers, many of them expressed an interest in partnering with their local water and wastewater utilities to offer first-hand knowledge of careers in water to their students. In response to this need, the Compact is compiling an easy-to-access list of water and wastewater utilities in Tennessee that are interested in or already host educational opportunities such as hosting tours, attending career fairs, or speaking about your career in a local classroom.
If you and your utility are interested in connecting with teachers in your local area, please complete this form. If you already completed a form in person at the Operator Expo, your response has been logged.
Thank you for your time!
Ellen
Additional Educational Resources
- Elevate TN
- Pellissippi State Community College Program
- MTSU
- For Job Seekers – Water Opportunities
Hawkins, Inc.
Founded in 1938, Hawkins, Inc. is a leading specialty chemical and ingredients company that formulates, distributes, blends, and manufactures chemicals for customers in Industrial, Water Treatment, and Health & Nutrition sectors.
Hawkins has partnered with the TAUD Apprenticeship Program by providing scholarship funding for participating apprentices. Each year, Hawkins funds approximately 1,000 hours of related technical instruction for eight new apprentices, making the program more accessible to rural facilities.
This generous contribution plays a vital role in expanding opportunities for future water industry professionals.
Proud of our Apprentices
| TAUD Region | Apprentice Name | Teaching Utility | Status | Program |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 11 | Garrett Pettigrew | Adamsville Utilities | Active | WasteWater |
| 6 | Bailey Robbins | Consolidated Utility District | Active | WasteWater |
| 6 | Cameron Worley | Consolidated Utility District | Active | Water |
| 6 | Mason DeBerry | Consolidated Utility District | Active | Water |
| 6 | Kyle Wilson | Consolidated Utility District | Active | Water |
| 8 | Ricky Pender | County Wide Utility District of Crocket | Active | Water |
| 6 | Brey Dedmon | DeKalb Utility District | Active | Water |
| 2 | Tyler Patrick | Hallsdale-Powell Utility District | Active | Water |
| 4 | Jesse Proctor | Hartsville Trousdale Water and Sewer Department | Active | WasteWater |
| 3 | Jonathan Storey | Huntsville Utility Board | Active | WasteWater |
| 7 | Brodie Bedford | Lawrenceburg Utility Systems | Active | Water |
| 8 | Brian Lucious | Maury City Utilities | Active | Water |
| 10 | Harvey Freeman | North West Utility District | Active | Water |
| 10 | Alyssa Traylor | Ocoee Utility District | Active | Water |
| 10 | Clay Underdown | Ocoee Utility District | Active | WasteWater |
| 1 | Collin Williams | Persia Utility District | Active | Water |
| 10 | Brian White | Town of Decatur | Active | Water |
| 11 | Cornilious Allen | Town of Oakland | Active | WasteWater |
| 11 | Randal Andrews | Town of Oakland | Active | WasteWater |
| 8 | Clint Hopper | Town of Troy | Active | Water |
| 8 | Justin Boswell | Union City Water & Wastewater | Active | WasteWater |
| 8 | Geoffrey Bryson | Union City Water & Wastewater | Active | WasteWater |
TAUD’s mission is to provide the highest quality technical, legal and operational support to assist its members in delivering safe and efficient services in the public interest.