Alaska Job Corps Water/Wastewater students participated in last week’s Annual Conference of  the American Water Works Association.  This  large conference met in Washington DC with over 11,000 attendees from the US, Canada, Mexico and other parts of the world.

Three Alaska Job Corps Water/Waste Water students were invited to attend, along with their instructor, Brad Ault.   Carmen Velasco is from King Cove, Alaska; Zachariah Lake-Ragsdale is from Eagle River, Alaska; and Kevin Gladden is from Palmer.  Zachariah competed in a National “Top Ops Contest,” (a “Jeopardy-type” competition of the nation’s best water operators.)

The group met personally with Alaska’s U.S. Senator Mark Begich and his Legislative Assistant, Michael Johnson.  Begich expressed interest and support for both the Water Industry and the Job Corps program.

It was 100 muggy degrees and the Alaska Water Treatment  students felt as if they might melt from the intense heat.  However, the group made the most of their 4 day trip and visited a variety of national monuments and parts of  the Smithsonian Museum.  They also snagged a look at the world-famous Hope Diamond.

This career training program, at the Alaska Job Corps Center, is unique with both hands-on training and full certification.   The Water/Wastewater Operator Training Program is designed to provide employment opportunities in the Drinking Water and Wastewater fields.  All students maintain an active membership in the American Water Works Association and the program is a member of the Alaska Rural Water Association.

The Alaska Job Corps Center is managed by Chugach Alaska Corporation and administered by the U.S. Department of Labor.  Job Corps is the nation’s largest career technical training and education program for students ages 16-24.