Water UP! Reaches 61 Graduates Since 2021

New Jersey American Water celebrated the fifth graduating class of its Water UP! workforce development program, which has graduated 61 participants since launching in 2021. The 2026 cohort included 10 members recognized at the company’s Camden headquarters. Participants spend 10 weeks building skills and exploring careers in the water and utility industry. Hopeworks supported participant recruitment and workforce readiness for the 2026 cohort.

Skills For Utility Careers

Water UP! combines classroom instruction, professional development, field experiences and hands-on training. The program covers financial literacy, customer service, leadership development, OSHA training and utility operations.

Mark McDonough, president at New Jersey American Water, said:

“Celebrating five years of Water UP! is an incredible milestone, but what matters most is the opportunity this program creates for people to develop new skills and explore careers in the water industry. We’re proud to help prepare the next generation of utility professionals for an industry and a service that communities depend on every day.”

Camden Partnership

Hopeworks partnered with New Jersey American Water for the inaugural class in 2021 and returned for the program’s fifth year. Several members of the 2026 graduating class are Camden residents.

Dan Rhoton, chief executive officer at Hopeworks, said:

“We are proud to partner with New Jersey American Water for the 2026 Water UP! cohort and help connect participants to meaningful career opportunities. Programs like Water UP! give young adults exposure to industries they may not have otherwise considered while helping them build skills and confidence that can support long-term career success.”

Certificates For 2026 Cohort

The 2026 graduates completed their 10-week experience by receiving certificates recognizing their completion of Water UP! Graduate Mia Morales reflected on the skills, experiences and career opportunities she gained through the program during the ceremony.

Mia Morales, Hopeworks alumna and member of the program’s 2026 graduating class, said:

“Water UP! has given us the skills to enter the utility field with confidence and competence. I’ve been able to practice networking, receive feedback, work on my resume and elevator pitch, and learn how to change water meters and repair water main breaks. The experience helped me strengthen my communication skills, step outside my comfort zone and grow as a young professional.”

Five Years Of Water UP!

Over the past five years, Water UP! has demonstrated the value of workforce development programs that introduce participants to water utility careers, build practical skills and connect communities with opportunities in an essential industry.