22 Graduate from the Apprenticeship Program at the Department of Water Resources (DWR)

The Division of Operations and Maintenance (O&M) of the Department of Water Resources held a graduation ceremony in May for 22 Apprentices who graduated from the O&M Apprenticeship Program as Utility Craftsworkers, Hydroelectric Plant (HEP) Mechanics, Electricians, and Operators during 2022 and 2023. The Apprenticeship Program has achieved 631 graduating apprentices since its creation in 1971, during the construction of the initial State Water Project (SWP) facilities.

With 21 pumping plants, 26 dams, 36 storage facilities, 4 hydroelectric power plants, 4 pumping-generating plants, and approximately 700 miles of canals, tunnels, and pipelines, the State Water Project’s successful operations rely on the Apprenticeship Program’s graduates that are recruited statewide to launch a career in the water industry.

“When the apprentices graduate, our goal is that they attain all the skills necessary to work anywhere and on a variety of components of SWP facilities,” said Apprenticeship Program Training Center’s Supervisor Erika Arias. “This year, we mark Class 49 for the hydroelectric plant classifications and Class 38 for utility craftsworkers that for many of the previous graduates became the start of a long-lasting DWR career.”

During the three to four years in the program, at various locations throughout California, the paid apprenticeship provides in-person class instruction, hands-on learning, classroom study, home study, and supervised on-the-job training at a water conveyance facility. Course topics vary depending on trade and include motors and generators, bearings and turbines, hydraulics, heavy equipment, and environmental awareness. Participants of the program must have a high school diploma, be 18 years of age, and have a desire to learn skills to succeed in the program.

There are many benefits to the program including:

• opening the door to a career in the water industry
• college credit for program courses
• mentoring from experts
• learning  and expanding new skills
• creating great friendships

 

Congratulations to DWR’s Apprentice Graduates as they kick off the start of their professional careers. For more about the program, visit our website.

Department of Water Resources Apprenticeship Graduates 2022/2023
Southern Field Division	San Joaquin Field Division	San Luis Field Division	Delta Field Division
Don Anderson HEP Electrician July 2022	Devin Driggs HEP Operator March 2023	Alejandro Jimenez HEP Operator August 2022	Allison Burich HEP Operator August 2022
Angelica Figueroa HEP Electrician July 2022	Lisa Macedo HEP Operator December 2022	Sean Cintas HEP Mechanic March 2023	David Martinez Utility Craftsworker August 2022
William Bleiweiss HEP Electrician January 2023	Cest Celi Vickers HEP Operator January 2023	Dylan Donahue HEP Operator March 2023	Victoria Turner HEP Electrician March 2023
Kimberly Murray HEP Operator August 2022		Zachary Perryman HEP Electrician January 2023
Ryan Lux HEP Operator August 2022

Department of Water Resources Apprenticeship Graduates 2022/2023
Sacramento Maintenance Yard	Sutter Maintenance Yard	Oroville Field Division	San Luis & Delta-Mendota Water Authority
Joshua Foose Utility Craftsworker August 2022	Tyler Schuster Utility Craftsworker August 2022	Travis McDavitt HEP Operator October 2022	Christian Paradiso HEP Operator January 2023
	Michael Murray Utility Craftsworker August 2022		Alex Pineda HEP Electrician July 2022
	Trevor Dunn Utility Craftsworker February 2023

July 2023