Frequently Asked Questions

The grant is designed to develop a statewide workforce development program focused on diversity, equity, and inclusion resulting in trained workers who will secure jobs in the POU, water and wastewater industry throughout California. The Program will create a workforce pipeline for underrepresented populations and stable industry partnerships to ensure ongoing placement of trained workers in industry jobs, which are high quality and well-paid with great benefits and opportunities for advancement.

CMUA and its partners were awarded $4 million from the California Workforce Development Board’s High Road Training Partnership Grant Program to implement the new California Water, Wastewater, and Energy Workforce Development Program.

There are three major components of the program:

1. Literature Review and Supplemental Needs Assessment
   CMUA will facilitate a literature review of existing and planned workforce surveys to determine if additional work is needed to serve members’ needs and establish a solid foundation for implementing the Program.
2. Develop, Pilot, and Implement Regional Consortium
   Based on the needs assessment and a separate evaluation of other factors that would support success, one area in California will be selected for a regional consortium (similar to BAYWORK) that connects CMUA members to workers, community colleges and universities and other interested parties. We also will work with the Workforce Development Board in the selected region to run a pilot program supporting new entrants into the industry, particularly from underserved communities.
3. Statewide Activities
   The Program also will include statewide activities benefitting members, including:
   • materials members can use for outreach and awareness of the industry;
   • best workforce development practices for industry utilities; and
   • grants for training at partner organizations and other stakeholders with existing training programs.

CMUA will collaborate with a large coalition of trade associations, nonprofits, and vocational organizations to implement the elements of the grant, including:

California African American Water Education Foundation (CAAWEF)

Water Education for Latino Leaders (WELL)

Jewish Vocational Services (JVS)

California Special Districts Association (CSDA)

California Water Association (CWA)

Association of California Water Agencies (ACWA)

California Association of Sanitation Agencies (CASA)

Contra Costa Water District

Metropolitan Water District of Southern California (MWD)

Water Energy Education Alliance (WEEA)

BAYWORK

IEWorks

California Nevada Section of American Water Works Association (CA-NV AWWA)

The California Water, Wastewater, and Energy Workforce Development Program will take a multifaceted approach. In October 2023, CMUA released a Request for Proposals inviting responses from public utilities and other qualified organizations, including utility consortia, community colleges, industry-specific training providers, and Community-Based Organizations (CBOs). Specifically, the RFP was seeking providers with expertise in areas such as industry-specific “career ladder training,” new worker placement, and career advancement for existing workers. Focus will be placed on participants from underrepresented populations including low- to moderate-income communities. Two training providers were selected: the California Nevada Section of AWWA, and WaterWisePro.

Another competitive solicitation was released in 2024 to create one regional consortium designed to connect CMUA members to workers, community colleges and universities, and other interested parties. A pilot program in the Los Angeles/Orange County region will support new entrants into the industry, particularly from underrepresented communities. Long Beach Community College has been selected as the recipient of this grant.

There will be an additional solicitation coming in June 2024 for leadership training, again focused on underrepresented populations. That RFP will be posted when it is available.