The Boys & Girls Club of Atlantic City (ACBGC) recently teamed up with the Atlantic County Utilities Authority (ACUA) to provide a hands-on workforce readiness and training program for high school students centered around trade opportunities in the wastewater industry.
The nine-week Wastewater Workforce Cohort Program was developed to introduce high school junior and senior students from Atlantic City High School, Atlantic County Institute of Technology (ACIT), and Oakcrest who participate in ACBGC to the various opportunities available at ACUA’s Wastewater Treatment Facility in Atlantic City.
“One of our goals is to introduce young people to career opportunities they may never have considered,” said Tracey Triniwell, CEO of the Boys & Girls Club of Atlantic City. “Through this partnership with ACUA, students gained hands-on experience, met professionals working in the field, and learned about rewarding careers that support both the environment and public health. Programs like this help prepare our teens for the workforce and connect them to opportunities for long-term success.”
Participating students received valuable workplace experience by exploring electrical, instrumentation, operations, laboratory and administrative career paths. Students also gained a deeper understanding of the critical role wastewater facilities play in protecting public health.
“The wastewater industry offers dependable, long-term career paths that directly impact the community and the environment,” said ACUA President Matthew DeNafo. “We were honored to work alongside the Boys & Girls Club to provide this experience and help local students discover the many opportunities available right here in Atlantic City.”
ACUA staff from various departments offered a detailed look at their daily responsibilities and engaged students through hands-on learning opportunities, question-and-answer sessions, and tours of its facilities.
“This program was equally rewarding for the participating ACUA staff who truly enjoyed sharing their work and connecting with students,” said DeNafo.
To culminate the program, students delivered a capstone presentation and were honored with certificates at a graduation ceremony. Students were also offered the chance to apply for onsite employment opportunities, with one individual being selected for an internship at ACUA.
“The ACUA cohort showed me careers I didn’t know existed,” said student Tiana Terrence-Russell a student who participated in the program. “I enjoyed learning about how water and wastewater systems impact our community and discovering the many job opportunities connected to this field.”
For more information about career opportunities at ACUA, please visit www.acua.com/careers.
