Pathway
Environmental Systems: Basic and Advanced Water Resources
Environmental systems youth apprentices learn core skills needed by the water industry to promote protection, improvement, and sustainability of water resources.
Length of the Apprenticeship: One year or two years
Job Competencies
Year 1: Youth apprentices must complete a total of 11 competencies. Ten must be from the list below. If necessary, employers can substitute 1 competency with another occupationally appropriate skill. That skill should be added to the competency list for assessment.
Year 2: Youth apprentices must complete a total of 12 competencies. Eleven must be from the list below. If necessary, employers can substitute 1 competency with another occupationally appropriate skill. That skill should be added to the competency list for assessment.
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YEAR 1 Competencies
- Interpret work order
- Create work order
- Monitor operating conditions, meters, pumps, and gauges
- Collect operational data
- Use operations software (such as SCADA, PLC, DBs)
- Perform basic facility maintenance
- Collect samples
- Measure weight
- Measure volume
- Perform calculations and conversions
- Conduct basic lab tests
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YEAR 2 Competencies
- . Assist with report submissions
- Prepare chemicals
- Add chemicals to systems
- Perform start-up and shut down of pumps and equipment
- Inspect operational equipment
- Troubleshoot basic operations
- Analyze lab results
- Maintain schedules, communication, and documentation
- Perform preventive maintenance (PM)
- Calibrate equipment
- Troubleshoot and repair equipment
- Analyze operational data for productivity/trends
Related Instruction
Students must enroll in 1 High School Credit or 3 College Credits of related instruction each year they participate in the Youth Apprenticeship program.
Purpose of Related Instruction
The purpose of choosing a related instruction course is to ensure students are learning technical and academic skills that support the student's ability to perform their work tasks. This should be done concurrently with on-the-job training to make relevant connections between learning competencies and work.
Choosing Related Instruction
You will collaborate with your YA Coordinator and School Counselor to determine the most appropriate option for related instruction. A course within your high school directly related to the career pathway is ideal, especially if dual credits and/or hours related to a potential registered apprenticeship are offered.
If there is not a directly related course in your school district, related instruction in the same career cluster is also acceptable.
If there is not a course within that career cluster in your school district, you may request to register for a college course through the Start College Now program with a local technical college, Early College Credit from a local university, or from an alternative provider such as Destinations Career Academy.
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- Natural Resource Management
- Environmental Science
- Wildlife Management
- Natural Resources and Conservation
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- Environmental Science
- Intro to Fisheries, Forestry,& Wildlife Resources
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- Wildlife Management 1 & 2
- Forestry & Natural Resources
Post Secondary
There are numerous opportunities to continue your education after completing the Youth Apprenticeship program.
Registered Apprenticeships
The Water Resources pathway can bridge into a registered apprenticeship as Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator
College and University
- Major in Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources at the Universities of Wisconsin.
- Enroll in the Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources program at the Wisconsin Technical College System.