Water UP! Returns to Camden After Five Years
Water UP! returns to Camden as New Jersey American Water’s paid 10-week program marks five years and more than 50 participants.
New Jersey American Water has brought its Water UP! workforce development program back to Camden, five years after its launch in the city. The paid 10-week program has helped more than 50 participants explore careers in the utility sector. Participants receive professional development, industry exposure and hands-on learning, then complete OSHA 30 certification. The return to Camden also continues a longstanding partnership with Hopeworks, a Camden-based organization dedicated to helping young adults build meaningful careers and achieve economic mobility.
Ten Weeks of Career Exposure
Water UP! introduces participants to utility roles including utility mechanic, production mechanic, operations specialist, water quality and environmental compliance technician, and customer service representative. The program is intended to help participants build skills, credentials and industry connections for opportunities across the sector.
Dan Rhoton, CEO at Hopeworks, said:
“Water UP! is about opening doors. Many participants come into the program without realizing the breadth of opportunities available within the utility sector. By connecting talent with training, mentorship and industry exposure, we're helping individuals build careers while strengthening the workforce our communities depend on.”
A Route Into Utilities
Myles Jefferson participated in Water UP! in 2023. After completing the program, he gained experience with Evesham Municipal Utilities Authority before joining PSE&G as a utility mechanic.
Myles Jefferson, 2023 Water UP! participant, said:
“Water UP! helped me understand the range of careers available in the utility industry and gave me a clearer path forward. The experience opened doors, helped me build connections and gave me the confidence to pursue opportunities in a field that supports communities every day.”
Building New Jersey Talent
Over five years, Water UP! has connected workforce development organizations, community partners and industry employers while creating pathways into utility-sector careers. New Jersey American Water’s return to Camden brings those groups together around the state’s future water workforce.
Mark McDonough, president at New Jersey American Water, said:
“The future of the water industry depends on attracting and developing talented individuals from the communities we serve. Water UP! shows what can happen when workforce development organizations, community partners and industry leaders work together to create pathways to opportunity.”
