Ward Works

Proposal for the Creation of the

Ward Water Department High School Internship Program

Purpose

The City of Ward proposes the creation of a High School Internship Program within the Ward Water Department in partnership with Cabot High School’s existing trades and career education programs.

This internship would provide local students with hands-on exposure to career opportunities in:

Water and wastewater operations
Plumbing and utility maintenance
Public works infrastructure
Construction and excavation support
Engineering and environmental services
Equipment operations
Customer service and utility management

The goal of the program is to help develop the next generation of skilled workers while encouraging students to explore meaningful career paths that directly support their local community.

Why This Program Matters

Across Arkansas and throughout the country, cities are facing growing shortages in skilled trade and utility workers. Many experienced operators and maintenance employees are nearing retirement age, while fewer young workers are entering these essential fields.

At the same time, many students are seeking alternatives to traditional four-year college pathways and are interested in careers that offer:

Competitive wages
Job stability
Technical training
Licensing opportunities
Long-term advancement

A local internship program would allow students to gain valuable experience while helping the City of Ward begin building a future workforce pipeline.

Program Goals

The Ward Water Department Internship Program would aim to:

Introduce students to careers in public utilities and infrastructure.
Provide real-world work experience in a supervised environment.
Teach responsibility, professionalism, teamwork, and workplace safety.
Encourage interest in plumbing, engineering, utility operations, and public service careers.
Strengthen partnerships between the City of Ward and local schools.
Create long-term opportunities for future employment within municipal services and skilled trades.

Proposed Program Structure

Eligibility

Juniors and Seniors enrolled in Cabot High School career/trades programs
Students in good academic standing
Teacher or program recommendation preferred
Parent/guardian approval required

Internship Opportunities

Students may rotate through various areas including:

Water Department Operations

Learning water system basics
Assisting with maintenance tasks
Observing water line repairs
Meter reading and mapping
Leak detection support

Public Works Exposure

Equipment demonstrations
Infrastructure maintenance
Street and drainage projects

Administrative Experience

Utility billing processes
Customer service procedures
Record keeping and compliance documentation

Engineering & Technical Exposure

Water treatment concepts
GIS and mapping systems
State compliance requirements
Infrastructure planning

Safety & Supervision

Student safety would be the highest priority.

The program would include:

Required safety orientation
OSHA/basic workplace safety instruction
Direct employee supervision
Clearly defined work restrictions
Age-appropriate responsibilities
Parent consent and liability documentation

Students would not operate dangerous equipment or perform hazardous duties independently.

Potential Benefits to Students

Students participating in the internship may gain:

Practical work experience
Community service hours
Trade exposure
Resume-building opportunities
Networking and mentorship
Potential future employment pathways
Increased understanding of municipal government operations

Potential Benefits to the City of Ward

The City of Ward may benefit through:

Development of future workforce candidates
Increased community engagement
Positive relationships with local schools
Greater public awareness of utility operations
Promotion of skilled trades careers
Long-term recruitment support

Partnership Opportunities

Potential partners may include:

Cabot High School Career & Technical Education Programs
Local plumbers and contractors
Utility associations
Engineering firms
Arkansas Rural Water Association
Local businesses willing to sponsor safety gear, scholarships, or tools

Long-Term Vision

This program could eventually expand to include:

Summer internships
Scholarship opportunities
Apprenticeship pathways
Water operator certification preparation
Internship opportunities within other city departments

The long-term vision is to create a sustainable local workforce development program that benefits both students and the City of Ward for years to come.

Conclusion

The Ward Water Department High School Internship Program represents an investment in both our students and our city’s future. By creating opportunities for hands-on learning and career exploration, Ward can help encourage the next generation of skilled workers while strengthening community involvement and awareness of essential public services. This program has the potential to become a model for workforce development and community partnership within our region.

Estimated Starter Budget

Item

Estimated Cost

Safety Vests

$150

Safety Glasses

$75

Gloves

$100

Program T-Shirts

$250

Certificates

$50

Printing/Flyers

$75

Recognition