The Blue Sector: A Flood of Career Opportunities
You've likely heard about "green jobs" -- jobs centered around sustainability and environmental responsibility. Relatedly, there is the so-called "blue economy," which, like a wave, is rising in popularity and importance as communities around the globe look to protect and enhance the quality of their water supply.
And thanks to Waubonsee and a three-year $350,000 grant from the National Science Foundation Advanced Technological Education Program, you will soon be able to train for one of these in-demand and impactful careers.
With input from a professional industry advisory board, Fox Metro, Illinois Section American Water Works Association, Illinois Water Environment Association, and others, Waubonsee is building a water technician certificate program that is scheduled to debut in the fall 2025 semester. Along with traditional coursework, hands-on work experience will also be built into the program so that students gain the work hours required for industry certification.
About ATE
The National Science Foundation's Advanced Technological Education (ATE) program has been funding innovation at two-year colleges for over twenty years. With a focus on the education of technicians for the high-technology fields that drive our nation's economy, and strong partnerships between academic institutions and industry, ATE promotes improvement in the education of science and engineering technicians at the undergraduate and secondary school levels.
To learn more about ATE, please visit the NSF ATE program home page. You can also visit this program's ATE microsite.
