Grand Rapids Community College has recently been selected to receive a $1 million grant from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency under the Biden-Harris Administration. This Innovative Water Workforce Development Grant is aimed to support the training and recruitment of new employees in the drinking water and wastewater sectors, addressing critical employment needs in these essential utilities, according to a news release from EPA.
The timing seems to perfectly align with a pressing concern; as many in the water sector approach retirement, there is an undeniable need to quickly develop the next generation of skilled water workforce. The grant is set to bolster programs that are designed to educate and train individuals at multiple levels, including targeted internship and apprenticeship opportunities. "Water utility operators play a critical role in supporting their communities by ensuring that drinking water is safe, and that wastewater is safely managed," EPA Acting Assistant Administrator for Water Bruno Pigott said, during an event marking the grant's announcement, as reported by EPA.
Highlighting the importance of this investment, Grand Rapids Community College President Charles W. Lepper expressed in a statement to FOX17, “Part of our mission as a community college is training people and getting them into the workforce in critical areas." This aligns with Congresswomen Hillary Scholten's emphasis on the sophistication of systems that deliver clean water to homes, systems which require highly skilled individuals to maintain them.
Moving forward, Grand Rapids Community College intends to develop and implement a community-wide program that will not only educate, but will also actively involve local government and various community organizations. Through partnership with these entities, the college aims to directly to scale their efforts beyond just Grand Rapids but to neighboring communities as well. "This is the second grant the EPA has awarded Grand Rapids Community College as we continue to address the growing demand for skilled professionals in the water sector," Lepper outlined, as elucidated in the EPA statement.
Highlighting the broader impact of such grant programs, Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity Director Susan Corbin commented on the critical role of water workers and the prospects of opportunity this grant symbolizes. "With the EPA’s Innovative Water Workforce Development Grant, we are creating opportunities for Michiganders to enter a field that is both rewarding and crucial to our state's infrastructure," Corbin said, as quoted in the EPA's announcement. The initiative reflects a significant step towards fortifying the workforce that is fundamental to our community health and the functionality of our environmental systems.
