NRWA Launches Employer Incentive Apprenticeship Program

The National Rural Water Association (announced the NRWA Employer Incentivization Program) to expand workforce development in rural communities through structured apprenticeship training for water and wastewater system operations. The initiative, supported by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Employment and Training Administration, provides up to $20,000 in incentive payments for participating employers that engage in an NRWA-approved, federally registered Apprenticeship Program (RAP). Newly engaged employers with at least one registered apprentice actively participating in a RAP are eligible for a one-time initial incentive payment of $10,000.

“We’re excited to provide these incentives for employers participating in the NRWA Apprenticeship Program to help support the utilities who are training the next generation of the water and wastewater workforce,” said Shannan Walton, NRWA Director of Workforce Development, encouraging eligible employers to take advantage of the funding opportunity.

How the incentives are structured

Beyond the initial employer payment, the program offers milestone incentives tied to apprentice progress. Employers may receive an additional $5,000 for up to two qualifying apprentices—maximum additional incentives of $10,000—when each apprentice completes both key training thresholds: 144 hours of Related Technical Instruction (RTI) and 2,000 hours of On-the-Job Training (OJT). These milestone payments are intended to reward sustained training engagement and completion of apprenticeship benchmarks.

Eligibility requirements for employers

To qualify, organizations must meet specific criteria related to community size, organizational status, and program participation. Eligibility spans State Rural Water Association members, non-members, and public or private not-for-profit employers. Key requirements include:

• Employers must be not-for-profit organizations serving communities of 10,000 or fewer during the grant performance period.
• Employers must participate in an NRWA-approved RAP through a State Rural Water Association affiliate.
• Employers must have a signed Employer Agreement dated on or after July 1, 2024.

Funding availability and timeline

Funding is available on a first-come, first-served basis and will continue until the program’s conclusion on June 30, 2028, or until funds are exhausted. According to the program footnote, the ABA2 Employer Incentive Program is supported by the U.S. Department of Labor Employment and Training Administration as part of an award totaling $7,631,873, with 100% of funding provided through federal sources.

How utilities can engage

Utilities interested in applying should contact their State Rural Water Association Apprenticeship Coordinator for full eligibility and application details. NRWA notes that participation must be within an NRWA-approved, federally registered apprenticeship framework through a state association affiliate to access the incentives.