Water Workforce Development
About Water Workforce Development
In July 2025, the Great Lakes Commission (GLC) hosted its first Water Workforce Roundtable event in Grand Rapids, Michigan. More than two million people make up the water workforce nationwide, fulfilling a wide array of critical roles – such as treating drinking water, wastewater, and stormwater; constructing and maintaining water infrastructure; managing water rates and utility revenues; educating the public on water quality; and more – but estimates indicate that about one-third of the workforce in the U.S. is nearing retirement age, with limited staff currently available to replace them. Nearly 80 professionals attended the roundtable, representing state agencies, water/wastewater utilities, trade/professional associations, and educational institutions, and shared ideas on how to advance job growth and workforce development across the Great Lakes region’s water sector.
Throughout fall 2025, roundtable participants and additional contributors helped the GLC shape a suite of recommendations to address water workforce challenges and strengthen the water sector for generations to come, with a particular focus on small and rural communities.
Funding
Funding for this project is provided by a direct federal appropriation to the Great Lakes Commission to enhance regional collaboration between the states and the federal government.