Grand Rapids Community College is launching a new job training program to certify people to work on public water infrastructure.
The program includes collaborations with the cities of Grand Rapids and Kentwood.
Julie Parks is head of workforce training at GRCC. She says the training will make sure there are enough people to work on emerging water issues.
“You know we have PFAS in our area, we have lead in houses,” Parks says. “We need to have people who are trained to remove this and to make it safer for all of us.”
The program is also working with Grand Rapids Whitewater, an organization that’s working to restore rapids to the Grand River.
Parks says that's another one of many important water projects that will require workers.
“How are we going to staff these?” Parks asks. “What are the skills people need to do that?”
Parks says classes for the new West Michigan Clean Water and Environmental Certifications Program begin in January.
You can learn more about the project here.
