Mayor Domenic J. Sarno joined with Springfield Water and Sewer Commission (SWSC) Director Josh Schimmel, SWSC Commissioner Vanessa Otero and Commissioner Daniel Rodriguez, Springfield Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Sonia Dinnall, representatives from the Massachusetts Water Works Association (MWWA), Veolia North America, and the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) on Tuesday along with Springfield high school students who participate in the SWSC’s work-based learning Pipeline Program to highlight the many rewarding careers in the water sector.
Water professionals are highly sought after both in Massachusetts and nationwide. To help meet this demand and build the water workforce of the future, the SWSC launched the Pipeline Program in 2023 in partnership with Springfield Public Schools, MWWA and Veolia North America. The Pipeline Program is an 8-week paid summer internship that exposes high school students to a variety of careers in the water sector and provides a pathway to future opportunities.
“I commend the Springfield Water and Sewer Commission for creating these opportunities for Springfield youth to gain valuable work experience and learn more about career opportunities right here in our local community” said Mayor Domenic J. Sarno. “Water is essential to our daily life here in Springfield and we rely on dedicated public servants like the men and women of the Springfield Water and Sewer Commission to keep our water flowing.”
Superintendent Dinnall said the Pipeline Program affords Springfield students the opportunity to understand career pathways in a way that is relevant and practical. “This program allows our students to see what upward mobility and lifelong learning requires, and to understand the steps they can begin to take now towards that goal,” she said. “That knowledge alone, gained from meaningful experiences in a real-life work setting, can be a gamechanger for many of our graduating scholars, whether they choose to immediately join the workforce or pursue a college education.”
This summer, 12 Pipeline Program interns were selected following an application and interview process from an applicant pool of approximately 80 students from throughout Springfield. The cohort of 12 Pipeline interns are in grades 10-12 and represent 5 different high schools in Springfield.
As part of the program the interns rotate through various SWSC departments and support staff on various activities and projects including Engineering, Watershed Protection, Wastewater Operations, Drinking Water Operations/Laboratory, Information Technology, Meters, and Water Quality. Interns also take MWWA’s “How Water Works: An Introduction to the Drinking Water Industry.” This course is a first step as part of the education and training required to earn drinking water operator licenses in Massachusetts.
Throughout the summer, Pipeline Program interns also got an up-close look at the SWSC $550 million Water and Wastewater Infrastructure Renewal Program (WWIRP) including such projects as the Wastewater Treatment Plant Upgrades, Locust Street Water and Sewer Upgrades, and the St. James Avenue Water Pipe Improvements. At the water treatment plant, Pipeline interns learned more about the treatment process as well as the work the SWSC has undertaken to advance construction of the new West Parish Water Treatment Plant, which will break ground in the coming months.
Through the department rotations, visits to WWIRP project sites, enrichment activities including tours of other area utilities, and the MWWA course gave the Pipeline interns a better understanding of the variety of careers involved in the daily operations of water and wastewater systems and the different skills, education, and training required. Positions in the water sector vary widely and require education ranging from high school diplomas to advanced degrees. Additionally, the water sector offers sustainable, non-outsourceable careers with competitive pay, robust benefits, and the opportunity to serve the local community.
SWSC Commissioner Vanessa Otero said, “The Pipeline Program provides a unique opportunity for Springfield high school students to transform their future by gaining professional experience in a real-world setting. The many dedicated water professionals that mentor and guide the interns through the program not only provide them with hands-on learning but help them establish a pathway for their future in a variety of rewarding water careers.”
“This is an exciting time at the Commission as we undertake a generational reinvestment in our water and wastewater systems, including breaking ground on the new West Parish Water Treatment Plant later this fall,” said SWSC Executive Director Josh Schimmel. “But we are investing in more than just infrastructure, we are investing in our people, and in our community. The Pipeline Program provides opportunities for Springfield high school students to explore careers, gain valuable job experience, and mentorship from the Commission’s team of dedicated water professionals. Through the Pipeline Program, we are building the next generation of water workforce professionals to continue our stewardships of the water and wastewater systems.”
“At Veolia we rely on dedicated professionals to protect public health and the environment,” said Matt LaPointe of Veolia North America. “We are pleased to continue our partnership on the Pipeline Program and help build the next generation of water and wastewater professionals – here in Springfield and around the globe. It has been great to host Pipeline Program interns and provide them with hands-on experience at the Springfield Regional Wastewater Treatment Facility on Bondi’s Island. We look forward to continuing to build on the program’s success.”
“There are so many rewarding careers in the water sector, and water professionals are in high demand across Massachusetts,” said Chief MWWA Instructor Dan Laprade. “The Pipeline Program provides us with an opportunity to highlight these many opportunities and outline various career pathways within the water works profession. MWWA is pleased to partner with the Commission and provide professional education programs to the Pipeline interns as the plan and prepare for the next step in their career.”
About the Commission
Established in 1996, the Springfield Water and Sewer Commission is an independent, public regional utility. The Commission serves 250,000 customers and businesses in the lower Pioneer Valley with safe and reliable drinking water and wastewater service. The Commission provides retail drinking water service to Springfield and Ludlow; regional drinking water treatment to Agawam, Longmeadow, East Longmeadow, and Southwick; and emergency/peak service to Westfield, West Springfield, Chicopee, and Wilbraham. The Commission provides retail wastewater service to Springfield and regional wastewater treatment to West Springfield, Agawam, Longmeadow, East Longmeadow, Wilbraham, and Ludlow.
About Springfield Public Schools and School-To-Career Program
The Springfield Public Schools are world class learning environments that produce 21st century leaders. Our students will graduate from high school College and Career ready. The school district attracts knowledgeable, highly effective and diverse teachers and principals who want to work in a high performing district. The School-To-Career, Work-Based Learning Program is a statewide network led by DESE and organized through sixteen MassHire Workforce Boards, charged with supporting work-based learning and other career development education activities for students. Through the network, educators can exchange ideas and practices by accessing a wide range of tools, resources, and experiences that support students. Also, employers and community partners can find channels to connect with schools in order to promote career awareness and the career growth of local students.
About Veolia North America
Veolia North America is the contracted operator of the Springfield Regional Wastewater Treatment Facility. A subsidiary of Veolia group, Veolia North America (VNA) offers a full spectrum of water, waste and energy management services, including water and wastewater treatment, commercial and hazardous waste collection and disposal, energy consulting and resource recovery. VNA helps commercial, industrial, healthcare, higher education and municipality customers throughout North America. Headquartered in Boston, Mass., Veolia North America has more than 10,000 employees working at more than 350 locations across the continent. www.veolianorthamerica.com
About Massachusetts Water Works Association
Massachusetts Water Works Association is a non-profit organization of water supply professionals with more than 1,400 members throughout the Commonwealth. MWWA’s membership includes public water system operators, managers, consulting engineers and equipment manufacturers and vendors. Through education and advocacy, MWWA works to promote a safe and sufficient supply of drinking water for the Commonwealth’s residents and businesses. Contact: Jennifer A. Pederson, Executive Director, jpederson@masswaterworks.org
