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Apprenticeship Program Field Operations Boot Camp

Charlotte Water created the City of Charlotte’s first water/wastewater industry apprenticeship program to increase jobs, training, and opportunities for individuals with multiple ​​employment barriers.

The apprenticeship program is custom-designed to help individuals achieve the training and experience needed for a successful career at Charlotte Water.

Our second cohort of nine apprentices started in July. After going through orientation and some soft skills training, they are assigned an area to work, either in wastewater or field operations. This entire cohort was assigned to the field operations division. Field operations is our largest division, and the staff is in charge of maintaining the water and wastewater distribution system. Duties include main extensions, leak repairs, sanitary sewer overflow response and cleanup, wastewater pipe cleaning, maintenance of water monitoring stations, and much more.

Before the apprentices get assigned to a zone and a crew, they must go through a seven-week field operations boot camp where they learn how to do the job efficiently and safely.

Below are some photos taken by some the apprentices during boot camp.

1 utility technician inspects the ground inside a yellow steel frame along with yellow ladder at the bottom of a square dirt pit, above 3 other utility technicians stand next to a pile of white flexible pipes, all wear orange safety t-shirts and white hard hats
Apprentices learn how to properly install a trench box during a pipe repair.
1 utility technician stands atop of a large section of concrete as he jackhammers it, behind him is another utility technician, both wear orange safety t-shirts and white hard hats
Apprentice Chevorne Lewis learns how to use a jackhammer to break concrete

 

2 utility technicians wearing white hard hats work to position a section of capped white pipe on a stand, behind them on grassy section of chain link fenced lawn are 4 other utility technicians
Apprentices go through a water main leak simulation.
utility technician wearing orange safety vest and white hard hat stands in shallow square pit operating a jack-hammer style device that is compacting tan dirt beneath him
A tamping machine is a tough machine to handle and requires strength and focus.
tan table full of assorted water utility related tools and parts
Various items that apprentices need to know how to use for a repair or install.
utility employee wearing a black t-shirt, mask and blue towel around his neck stands outside on a grassy lawn next to a spray of water and a small brick sub-station building
Theirry Capongo experiences what 919 gallons per minute feels like from a flushing hydrant

The great thing about the apprenticeship program is that it doesn’t just benefit the apprentices, it also benefits current staff members. It provides them with additional leadership opportunities as apprentice mentors and trainers. In most cases these staff have then been promoted to new positions afterwards.

10 utility technicians wearing orange safety shirts and white hard hats, line up in an open space next to a wooded area to pose for a group photo as they stand on section of pipe with cuts in it
Group shot with Charlotte Water field operations crew member and trainer Jontavious Thompson.

You can learn more about the program and how to apply on our website.

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