The accolades keep pouring in for Arlington Water Utilities. The department recently received the 2013 workforce development award from the Texas Section of the American Water Works Association (TAWWA) during the recent Texas Water Conference in Galveston.

Arlington Water Utilities partnered with Arlington ISD in 2011 to develop a work study program that would introduce high school students to the water industry, including career opportunities. The program is aligned with the City Council' s priority to Support Quality Education.

The City of Arlington has an interest in recruiting young people into the water industry because of a projected shortage in qualified personnel. According to the American Water Works Association (AWWA), 37% of water utility workers and 31% of wastewater utility workers will retire over the next 10 years.

The Arlington Water Utilities water work study program is delivered throughout the school year to Arlington-ISD senior high school students. The program features classroom instruction and internships sponsored by the City of Arlington, neighboring water utilities and private industries.

The 2012-2013 class currently has ten students, with three earning internships within the water industry-two with Arlington Water Utilities and one with Trinity River Authority. The two interns working for Arlington Water Utilities are being sponsored by the treatment division where they are rotating through all the departments in this division: Water Resource Services, Laboratory Services and the Treatment Plants. The rotations last 10 weeks and the students follow a structured work plan.

In addition to the workforce development award, two AISD students placed in second and fourth place during the statewide Junior Meter Madness Contest, which pits competitors against the clock to assemble a water meter from a bucket of parts. One of those students, Matthew Manson, has been offered a position with Arlington Water Utilities once he graduates.

Students completing the program are prepared to take the exam needed to obtain a D water licenses and to gain employment within the water field. Two members of the 2011-2012 class successfully passed the certification exam. One of them is Aaron Manson, who is currently employed by the Public Works department. He is Matthew' s older brother.

The Arlington Water Utilities department will continue to support quality education by providing Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) approved instructors, internships and field trip opportunities.