Working for a utility wasn’t on Myles Jefferson’s post-high school to-do list. But when the Marlton resident learned about New Jersey American Water’s workforce development program, he took his parents’ advice and gave it a shot.
Water Up, launched in 2021, is a 10-week program that introduces participants like Jefferson to careers they may never have considered. Participants earn $20 an hour while completing job observation, industry exposure and safety training.
“I never saw this being in my cards,” Jefferson said. “Whether you have a plan coming out of high school or are just trying to find your feet, it’s a really good opportunity.”
After graduating from the program, Jefferson worked for a municipal utility before joining Public Service Electric & Gas as a utility mechanic in South Jersey. Now 22, he earns $32 an hour plus overtime.
To date, more than 50 people have participated in the program, helping New Jersey American Water address a critical shortage in skilled workers.
The entire water industry in the U.S. is at a crossroads. The Environmental Protection Agency has warned that a third of the sector’s workforce will be eligible to retire over the next decade, straining the nation’s ability to operate and maintain its water infrastructure.
“The future of the water industry depends on attracting and developing talented individuals from the communities we serve,” said Mark McDonough, president of New Jersey American Water.
American Water operates in 14 states including New Jersey. Its headquarters is in Camden, and its New Jersey business has about 875 employees serving about 3 million people.
