Pre-Apprenticeship Program at Prince William Water
How to Apply
If you are interested in applying for the Pre‑Apprenticeship Program, please contact Jennifer Kooyoomjian at jkooyoomjian@pwcgov.org for application details and next steps.
View the program guide.
Prince William Water will launch its inaugural nine-week Pre-Apprenticeship Program from June 15 to August 14, 2026. The program aims to provide youth and adults in our community with the fundamental knowledge and experience required to work in the water and wastewater industry.
- The program is open to anyone 18 years of age and older.
- In-person attendance is required, as most sessions involve hands-on experience.
- Enrolled candidates will receive a stipend of $18.84 per hour for hours participated.
- Participants must complete the nine-week program successfully to be considered for future opportunities at Prince William Water.
Why Apply?
This is a paid opportunity to enter the workforce in the water and wastewater industry. You can participate even without any prior experience and earn while you learn.
What Does the Program Include?
The program offers foundational training—both in classroom and hands-on—to get a good understanding about possible careers in the water and wastewater industry.
The three pillars to the curriculum include topics related to water utility operations, wastewater reclamation operations and workforce readiness. Participants can also earn an OSHA 10 training certification, upon successful completion of the course. OSHA 10 provides basic safety and health information to entry-level workers in construction and general industry.
Other Workforce Development Initiatives
The Pre-Apprenticeship Program is one of several ways that Prince William Water is developing a skilled workforce.
Seasonal and Temporary Jobs
Prince William Water conducts an annual recruitment process for temporary/seasonal and college internship positions, primarily during the spring and summer (April-August). These opportunities allow participants to gain hands-on experience by working alongside Prince William Water employees across various divisions and departments, while exploring career paths within the water and wastewater industry. These positions typically range from six to 11 months and are open to applicants 18 years of age and older. Over the last two years, we have provided this opportunity to more than 50 individuals.
We also offer paid internships to students enrolled in a 4-year undergraduate program to work with specific divisions like Information Technology and Data Management to apply the skills they learn to real-world projects at Prince William Water
Industry Collaboration
As a leader in the water and wastewater industry, Prince William Water collaborates with numerous industry associations and nonprofit organizations to engage in crucial conversations that drive our success.
Participation in Taskforce
In July 2024, Prince William Water began participating in a two-year Workforce Development Taskforce organized by the US Water Alliance. The initiative, titled "Taking Action Toward a Strong and Equitable Water Workforce," aims to address the workforce development needs of our community. The objectives are to learn from programs implemented by other utilities nationwide and to establish a workforce development program at Prince William Water.
Community Partnerships
In April 2025, Prince William Water identified and partnered with the Prince William – Manassas Regional Adult Detention Center. A Memorandum of Understanding was signed with them to develop a workforce development program tailored to the community’s needs. This partnership aims to ensure a steady supply of locally skilled workers to meet the demands of our growing community.
Prince William Water is also proud to have a formal partnership with the Prince William County Schools, through its SPARK Education Foundation, to educate students in Kindergarten through Grade 12 about Prince William Water’s mission and our shared role with students as environmental leaders.