City of Elkins Wastewater Department Extends Apprenticeship Program Deadline

ELKINS, WV, January 13, 2026: The City of Elkins Wastewater Department announces it has extended its grant-funded Apprenticeship Program, which offers a paid pathway to a stable and skilled career. Applications for the program will be accepted until the positions are filled.

The 26-month program is designed to provide hands-on training and paid work experience, combining supervised practical experience with formal instruction. After apprentices complete the 26-month on-site paid work program, they will gain the 2,000-plus hours of experience required to receive a West Virginia Class I Wastewater Certification.

The total cost of the Elkins Wastewater Apprenticeship program is $60,000, the entire amount of which is funded through a U.S. Department of Labor–Employment and Training Administration grant.

“The Wastewater Department’s staff is excited about the opportunities this apprenticeship program offers,” said Whitney Hymes, Wastewater Superintendent/Chief Operator Class V Wastewater Operator of the City of Elkins. “We had a great deal of interest in the program when Davis & Elkins students visited the plant for two days earlier in the week. We look forward to receiving applications for what we believe will be both a competitive and rewarding program for residents of Elkins and North Central West Virginia.”

Ms. Hymes discussed the apprenticeship program’s benefits during an interview with WBOY-TV last fall.

The program will equip apprentices with essential skills in maintenance and equipment operation, sample collection and testing, and monitoring and data recording. This apprenticeship develops the necessary technical skills for a career in a complex and important profession, leading to state certifications and employment opportunities in the wastewater management sector upon completion.

Program Benefits and Details:

• Paid Experience and Hands-on Training: Apprentices will earn a fair wage while they learn about a field that is critical to public health and safety.
• Career Pathway: Successful completion leads to a Class I Wastewater Certification and opportunities for further career advancement.
• Full Funding: The total cost of the $60,000 program is fully funded through a U.S. Department of Labor–Employment and Training Administration grant.
• Open to Eligible Candidates: Applicants must be a minimum of 16 years old (must be 18 upon completion) and will be required to submit a short essay and pass a drug test screening.

To learn more, please visit the Wastewater Department’s site at https://cityofelkinswv.gov/departments/utilities/wastewater/. Potential applicants who have questions may also contact Ms. Hymes at whymes@cityofelkins.gov or by phone at 304-636-1122.

Wastewater Apprenticeship Program Brochure