Workforce program honored with national innovation award

Education

Sep 25

Written By Staff

Photo courtesy of Grand Rapids Community College

Grand Rapids Community College’s Water to Work Program has been selected to receive the Exemplary Credit Program Award from the National Council for Workforce Education (NCWE), a prestigious national recognition honoring innovative workforce development programs.

The award celebrates programs that exemplify strong partnerships and collaboration, create economic impact, advance inclusion and equity, demonstrate measurable outcomes, and provide models that can be replicated across the country.

The program, launched by GRCC in partnership with the City of Grand Rapids, Bay College, municipal water systems, and nonprofit partners, addresses an urgent challenge: replacing retiring water professionals while building a pipeline of highly skilled, diverse talent for Michigan’s water utilities.

Funded by the Environmental Protection Agency’s Innovative Water Infrastructure Workforce Development Program, the initiative combines paid internships, industry-aligned coursework, and wraparound support services. Students work 24 hours per week at municipal water departments while completing online, credit-based courses that lead toward the Water Technology Certificate from Bay College. Participants prepare for Michigan’s F-4 and S-4 licensing exams, creating direct pathways into family-sustaining careers in water and wastewater operations.

The program has already produced powerful results, including a 100% job placement rate for graduates, a 90% internship retention rate, and more than 1,000 community members engaged through outreach events.

“Water to Work is changing lives while also meeting a critical community need,” said John VanElst, Dean of the School of Workforce Training for GRCC. “We’re proud of this recognition, but even more proud of the students, employers, and partners who are working together to create a sustainable, diverse workforce for the future.”

As the program expands to include additional municipalities, colleges, and community partners, it offers a scalable, replicable model for regions nationwide facing workforce shortages in environmental services.

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