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Orange County recognizes H2O Pipeline graduates as part of workforce pathway into utilities jobs
Summary
County commissioners recognized 21 graduating students from the H2O Pipeline program, a career‑training partnership among Orange County Utilities, Orange County Public Schools and the American Water Works Association that prepares students for wastewater‑operator careers and apprenticeships at county utilities.
Orange County recognized the third and largest graduating class of its H2O Pipeline program on April 22, highlighting a local workforce pipeline that trains high school students for careers in water and wastewater operations.
Ed Torres, director of Orange County Utilities, said the county partnered with Orange County Public Schools and the American Water Works Association to deliver classroom‑to‑career training that offers paid apprenticeship eligibility at Orange County Utilities. This year 21 students completed wastewater treatment operator coursework and passed corresponding tests that make them eligible to take the state certification exam and to apply for paid apprenticeships, Torres said.
Torres thanked staff at Orange County Utilities and career and technical education personnel from Orange County Public Schools, including Carol Tingley and Rosa Grant, and the principal and staff at University High School for their support. County and school officials said the program provides hands‑on training and alternative career ladders that can match or exceed earnings from some college‑degree jobs.
The Board of County Commissioners presented students and program staff with recognition and invited the graduates to a photo with commissioners. The program leaders said their goal is to expand opportunities and to address an industry shortage of certified operations staff as current operators retire.
Ending: The H2O Pipeline was presented as an example of a county–school–industry partnership promoting local career pathways into essential utility jobs; officials said they will continue to seek funding and apprenticeship placements to expand the program.
