About CWC

The Clean Water Certificate (CWC) Training Program, Level 100, is a nationally-accredited program.

The CWC program works to create partnerships with employers and workforce development programs to create a pathway from training to job placement. The results of the program aim to:

  • Provide the stormwater industry access to an “on the job ready” workforce
  • Expand the skilled stormwater industry workforce to help meet the demand for stormwater installation and maintenance
  • Increased opportunity for individuals in low-income communities, under or unemployed individuals to secure a living wage job leading to financial stability

The CWC training program for workforce development includes two levels of training, each, 35-hours in length. The Level 100 curriculum introduces participants to the construction, maintenance and inspection of green infrastructure practices in order to secure, a living wage, entry-level job in the stormwater industry. The Level 200 curriculum provides training to develop a more advanced skillset geared towards career advancement in the stormwater industry, or related fields of work. The curriculum was developed in consultation with the stormwater industry, workforce development leadership and curriculum experts.

The implementation of the curriculum is designed to meet the needs of the program participants where classroom learning is heavily integrated with hands-on, field-based and cooperative learning. The curriculum is adapted to provide locally-relevant examples. Assessments are provided throughout the training course.

Download the Clean Water Certificate Training Program description

Course Materials

The Center for Watershed Protection works with each workforce development partner organization to identify locations for field-based learning activities. Each participant will receive the following:

  • Course Notebook
  • Visual Guidebook
  • Hands-on Learning activities
  • Field experience

Eligibility Requirements

The eligibility requirements for participants to enroll in the Level 100 Clean Water Certificate Training Program (CWC Program) include:

  • Participants enrolled or participating in a workforce development program, or currently employed and recommended for training by an employer,
  • Demonstrated ability to physically perform the work through pre-screening or through an existing employer, and
  • Highschool diploma or GED, optional, not required

Individuals enrolled in the Level 100 CWC Program will be required to meet the following requirements to receive a Certificate of Completion:

  • Participate in 35 hours of the training program. The training hours may be reduced to a minimum of 28 hours as part of an incumbent workforce development training based on the experience and knowledge of the training participant. All the Learning Outcomes will be evaluated to earn a Certificate.
  • Receive a passing score on the training assessments.

Learning Outcomes

The Level 100 CWC Program is developed for participants to achieve the skills and knowledge to achieve the following learning outcomes:

  • Demonstrate the ability to understand the need for stormwater management, sources of pollution in urban areas, and the impact on local streams.
  • Demonstrate knowledge and application of different types of stormwater management BMPs
  • Demonstrate the ability to recognize the components of and materials used to construct BMPs
  • Demonstrate a basic understanding of the process, equipment, and materials used to construct BMPs
  • Demonstrate an understanding of the need for BMP maintenance, understanding routine maintenance tasks and the required equipment

Certificate Terms of Validity

The Level 100 CWC Program focuses on entry-level skills and knowledge for the construction, maintenance and inspection of BMPs, to include green infrastructure. Participants who successfully complete the CWC Program requirements will receive a signed and dated Certificate of Completion from the Center Director of Education and Training and lead CWC trainer for the participant’s specific class. There are no requirements for participants to acquire continuing education credits (or similar) to maintain the entry-level credential. The Certificate issued by the program does not expire and is non-transferrable.

Certificates of Completion do not grant any academic or continuing education credits.

Contact training@cwp.org to learn more about the Clean Water Certificate Training Program.

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