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New Associate in Applied Science Degree in Environmental Treatment Technologies-Water Treatment
The Water Quality Control Operators program at the Environmental Resources Training Center (ERTC) at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is now providing an even greater training opportunity. In collaboration with Lewis and Clark Community College, ERTC announces the creation of a new program to train and educate water treatment plant operators, supervisors, and managers. The new program combines the water treatment training at ERTC with the business and management classes at Lewis and Clark to produce graduates who possess the skills needed to advance their career to positions such as treatment plant manager and public works director.
Graduates of the program receive an Associate in Applied Science Degree in "Environmental Treatment Technologies-Water Treatment" from Lewis and Clark Community College, and a certificate of completion from ERTC. The program began in the fall of 2009. Students receive a combination of classroom, laboratory, and hands-on experience at the training-scale water treatment plants at ERTC along with classes in biology, English, economics, accounting, and business management at Lewis and Clark. Graduates have the unique combination of business management skills and the ability to become a certified drinking water and wastewater treatment plant operator.
The ERTC portion of the program consists of two semesters of water and wastewater operations training, followed by a ten-week internship at a water and wastewater treatment plant. Graduates are eligible to take Illinois and Missouri certification exams to become certified as public drinking water supply operators and wastewater treatment operators. The Lewis and Clark portion of the program is two semesters long with a number of the classes being offered on-line.
The employment opportunities are good with the American Water Works Association estimating that nearly 50% of today's drinking water and wastewater plant operators will retire within the next five to ten years.The new program offers opportunities for displaced workers who are looking for training and education to help them enter a new career. Lewis and Clark and ERTC have a long history of providing technical training for students who wish to enter the work force after completing one or two years of training. The ERTC program began in 1981 and has an excellent placement rate for graduates who are employed in Illinois, Missouri and fifteen other states. The traditional one-year program at ERTC will continue to be offered, providing students with two educational and training options.
ERTC is approved for funding through the Workforce Investment Act (WIA) program, Illinois Veterans' Grant (IVG) and other Veteran's programs. Several scholastic awards are also presented at graduation.
For more information interested students may contact, ERTC at 618-650-2030, Lewis and Clark Community College at 618-468-4800.
We are proud to announce the creation of the ERTC Alumni Scholarship. Since 1977, ERTC has been training water quality professionals who now work throughout the nation. With the establishment of the Alumni Scholarship, we hope to help future students by easing the financial burden of class fees and tuition. We are asking former students to help make this scholarship a reality.
| Occupation | Water and Liquid Waste Treatment Plant and System Operators |
| Program |
Water Quality Control Operations Program |
|
Tuition & Fees (2015-2016) |
$10,600 |
| Books & Supplies | Included |
| Completion Rate | 82% |
Overall Employment Rate |
87% |
