The Green River Area Development District (GRADD) has received a 2022 Aliceann Wohlbruck Impact Award from the National Association of Development Organizations (NADO) for the Hire to Operate (H2O) Apprenticeship Training Program.
The H2O program utilizes grant funds through the Delta Workforce Program to pay for 1,000 hours of on-the-job training and more than 200 hours of related technical instruction for water and wastewater operator apprentices participating in Kentucky Rural Water Association’s Registered Apprenticeship Program.
NADO is a Washington, D.C.-based membership association of regional development organizations that promotes programs and policies that strengthen local governments, communities, and economies through regional cooperation, program delivery, and comprehensive strategies.
The Impact Awards program recognizes regional development organizations and their partners for improving the economic and community competitiveness of our nation’s regions and local communities.
“We are honored to receive this award for our innovative program. GRADD recognized that our utilities were struggling to hire critical water and wastewater operators due to the national workforce shortage and an influx of retirees in the industry. Our response was to create this program,” said GRADD Executive Director Joanna Shake.
