11 utility apprentices holding their certificates with 4 staff members line up for a group photo. Behind them there is a projector displaying "Congratulations"
Behind the Scenes, Employee Spotlights

Meet the 2026 Utility Tech I Apprentices: How They Got Here

Behind every apprenticeship is a story.

Charlotte Water’s Utility Tech I Apprenticeship brings together individuals from different industries, experiences, and stages of life, all united by a shared goal: building a meaningful, long-term career in public service. This year’s cohort did not follow one single path to get here. Some pivoted from different industries. Some applied more than once. Others are continuing family legacies or stepping into a completely new trade.

In this first installment of our three-part series, we are highlighting how four apprentices found their way to Charlotte Water and what motivated them to take that next step.

A headshot picture of Ten, an apprentice, smiling. She has curly blonde hair and wears clear framed glasses. She's wearing a yellow sweater with a white collar.

Teneia “Ten” Howie

Teneia, who goes by Ten, grew up in Monroe, North Carolina, and spent the past three years working part-time at American Airlines, while searching for a long-term career path. Even though she absolutely loved her position at American Airlines, she felt ready for something different. This led to her enrollment at Goodwill’s trade school program, where she earned certifications and received career placement support.

With support from her trade school, Ten refined her resume and successfully secured a spot in the apprenticeship on her second application.

“It’s been a process,” she shared, reflecting on her journey. But a process well worth the hard work and effort she’s put in.

Although new to the water and wastewater field, Ten embraced the apprenticeship as a fresh start and an opportunity to grow in a stable, hands-on career.

A headshot picture of Shakir, smiling and wearing a blue polo shirt.

Shakir Cleveland

Shakir Cleveland brings decades of hands-on experience to the program. He began working hands on jobs at 17, spending years in construction and outdoor labor roles. Through his family’s plumbing business, he also gained early exposure to working with tools and trade work.

While he excelled in office-based customer service and mortgage roles, even earning high-performance recognition, he realized something important about himself: he did not thrive behind a desk.

“I just did not like being stuck in an office setting,” he said.

After exploring different paths, Shakir found that working outdoors felt like where he belonged. The Utility Tech I Apprenticeship offered the structure, teamwork, and long-term career opportunity he had been searching for.

A headshot picture of William, he has thin framed glasses and a tan button up shirt.

William Devizia

William Devizia was born in Korea and raised in Charlotte, bringing extensive utilities experience to the apprenticeship. Before joining Charlotte Water, he worked with Honeywell and later contracted with Piedmont Natural Gas and Duke Energy. In those roles, he helped transition traditional AMR meters to AMI “smart” meters, enabling remote readings and increased efficiency.

After consistently performing well in his previous roles, William was hired full-time and continued building his technical expertise. Although new specifically to water and wastewater operations, he saw the Utility Tech I Apprenticeship as a natural next step in his utilities career.

For William, the program represents continued growth and long-term opportunity within the industry.

A headshot picture of Emiliano, he's smiling and wearing a grey shirt.

Emiliano Guatemala

At just 20 years old, Emiliano is already focused on building stability for his family. A father of two, he previously worked in HVAC installation, gaining hands-on experience in physically demanding environments.

Emiliano was drawn to the apprenticeship for its long-term benefits and advancement opportunities. He also follows in his father’s footsteps, who has worked at Charlotte Water for several years.

“I love it,” he said, describing the program so far. “And now I know my kids are going to be set.”

For Emiliano, an apprenticeship is more than a job. It is a foundation for growth, both professionally and personally.

A picture from behind of a couple of the apprentices on a work site, wearing their PPE. The sun is shining on a clear day.
Apprentices touring a Water Plant

These four apprentices represent just a portion of this year’s Utility Tech I cohort, but their journeys highlight the diverse paths that lead to public service careers at Charlotte Water.

In Part Two of this series, we will take a closer look at what it is really like to be a Utility Tech I apprentice, from day-to-day training to the skills they are developing along the way.