Wetwork Connect was launched to tackle one of the most pressing challenges facing the water industry: a shrinking workforce. As retirements surge and awareness of utility careers remains limited, Wetwork Connect provides a solution.
Our mission is to create lasting, equitable access to career opportunities in water and wastewater utilities. We do this by partnering with public utilities, local community programs, and national water associations to develop training, exposure, and employment pipelines for the next generation.
This program is especially focused on connecting young adults from underserved communities with career paths that are essential to the health, resilience, and sustainability of our cities and regions.
Wetwork Connect is structured around four pillars that ensure participants receive a full-circle career development experience:
Interactive outreach campaigns and events that introduce youth and jobseekers to water and wastewater careers.
Partnerships with utilities, technical schools, and training providers to prepare participants with real-world skills and credentials.
Hands-on opportunities for students and young professionals to engage in utility operations and projects.
Connecting candidates with job openings and supportive mentors across the utility sector.
The “Silver Tsunami” of retiring utility workers is already underway — and the industry is not replacing them fast enough. Water operators, technicians, engineers, and managers are vital to our public health and economy.
Wetwork Connect addresses this crisis by:
Active initiatives under Wetwork Connect include:
Additional programs are currently under evaluation for launch in 2025.
Interested in a career in the water industry? You don’t need to have it all figured out — you just need to start.
Organizations can support Wetwork Connect in a variety of ways:
Additional programs are currently under evaluation for launch in 2025.
Wetwork Connect is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit initiative led by The Wetwork Group and designed to solve the growing workforce shortage in the water and wastewater industry. Your support helps us build training pipelines, fund student outreach, and connect underserved communities to meaningful careers in the water sector.
We invite utilities, engineering firms, manufacturers, and industry leaders to become sponsors and help us:
We invite utilities, engineering firms, manufacturers, and industry leaders to become sponsors and help us:
As a sponsor, you will have the opportunity to:
Every sponsorship moves us closer to a sustainable water workforce — and stronger, more resilient communities.
For additional information on sponsorship opportunities fill in form below.
