The Springfield Water and Sewer Commission, in partnership with the City of Springfield, Springfield Public Schools, the Massachusetts Water Works Association (MWWA), and Veolia North America held this event with 12 Springfield high school students participating in the first year of the Commission’s “Pipeline Program.”
12 Springfield high school students participated in the first year of the Commission’s youth career workforce ‘Pipeline Program’. The program is an 8-week, paid experiential summer learning program for 12 students in grades 10-12 to expose them to the variety of careers in the water sector. Interns were selected among a pool of approximately 45 students following an application and interview process, and represent 5 Springfield high schools. Each week, interns accompany Commission staff in different departments to provide assistance on various activities and projects, including in Engineering, Watershed Protection, Wastewater Operations, Drinking Water Operations/Laboratory, Information Technology, and Field Services (Meters and Water Quality). Interns also take the Massachusetts Water Works Association’s (MWWA) “Introduction to Water Operations” course, which is the first step towards sitting for a drinking water operator licensing exam.
Mayor Sarno states, “We have one of the best regional water systems in the country and we continue to invest in it to ensure its quality. Our public health, our quality of life, and our economy depend on the hardworking people that keep our taps flowing, our environment clean, and our fire hydrants at the ready. Jobs in this field also serve our local community, and offer dependable lifelong career prospects right here at home. I commend the Commission’s Executive Director Josh Schimmel and his dedicated team for creating this opportunity for our local high school youth, who have so much to offer to the future of Springfield. This innovative program will help connect our students with the opportunity to pursue a career with our Springfield Water and Sewer Commission.”
In addition, interns tour other regional water and wastewater plants, visit local colleges and universities with Engineering or Environmental Science programs, and engage in group projects, community service, and trainings on workplace safety and career-readiness. The event on Wednesday was intended to offer the interns an opportunity to interact with community and utility leaders as well as hear words of encouragement as they consider careers in water. Water sector jobs vary widely and require education ranging from high school diplomas to advanced degrees.
Drinking water and wastewater utilities across the Commonwealth are currently experiencing high rates of retirements and a lack of qualified licensed professionals to backfill impending vacancies. The Commission also recognizes its own need for qualified water professionals to operate and maintain a new state-of-the-art drinking water treatment plant as well as other modern infrastructure being built as part of its $550 million Water and Wastewater Infrastructure Renewal Program. In response, the Commission designed the Pipeline Program in collaboration with Springfield Public Schools’ Internships & Pathways Program and partnered with its contracted wastewater plant operator, Veolia North America, for the implementation of this first-of-its-kind initiative in Massachusetts.
“Investing in the future of Springfield’s water and wastewater system means more than new pipes and treatment plants,” said Commission Executive Director Josh Schimmel. “We are making a generational reinvestment in our water system right now, and that must include investing in people. The Pipeline Program is mutually beneficial – we are proud to invest in our community and provide interns with valuable job experience, while we also can already see how much talent there is in our Springfield high schools. We look forward to cultivating our future water stewards through this program for years to come.”
Superintendent Daniel Warwick and Mayor Sarno, who serves as the Chair of the School Committee, stated, “The Springfield Public Schools is proud to collaborate with the Springfield Water and Sewer Commission on the Pipeline Program. Work-based learning opportunities are a core component of our Portrait of a Student Initiative, and water careers offer numerous pathways that engage our youth with so many prominent issues facing our communities, such as climate change, water access, engineering and technological advancement, and natural resource protection. Congratulations to the first cohort of Pipeline Program interns for taking this important step towards a promising future.”
“Jobs in wastewater are plentiful, hands-on, and essential, not only in the Springfield region, but all over the world,” said [representative] of Veolia North America. “Our public health and natural environment depend on having engaged, curious and conscientious professionals that are committed to serving their community. Veolia is proud to host Pipeline Program interns at the Springfield Regional Wastewater Treatment Facility and looks forward to continuing this productive partnership.”
“Massachusetts needs more water professionals, and today’s high school students have a lot to offer the water sector in return,” said MWWA Instructor Dan Laprade. “This generation’s fluency with technology and awareness of environmental quality and public health issues provides us with an opportunity to capture their attention and get them interested in careers within the water profession. MWWA is excited to partner with the Commission on the Pipeline Program and offer its professional educational programs to help interns on the next step of their careers.”
