Mayor Bernard C. “Jack” Young today announced that recruitment is underway for the next class of YH₂O Career Mentoring Program participants.  Applications will be accepted now through February 14, 2020.  To date, 69 residents have completed the Program, which prepares young Baltimoreans for entry-level jobs in the water industry.

YH₂O is a public-private job partnership, spearheaded by Baltimore City Department of Public Works (DPW) in partnership with the Mayor’s Office of Employment Development (MOED) and the Chesapeake Water Environment Association (CWEA). 

Launched in 2015, YH₂O provides on-the-job-training with support from water industry veterans, who also serve as career mentors and coaches for participants.  The three-phased, six-month program provides career exploration, job shadowing, and tours to help familiarize workers with the water industry.  Participants also receive job readiness training and a summer job through YouthWorks, which enhances work skills and training.  Past YH₂O graduates have attained such DPW positions as Laborers, Community Aides, Operations Technician Apprentices, and Customer Care Analysts.

YH₂O has become a national model for other water utilities.  DPW has received numerous inquiries about the program from utilities in cities as far away as Texas and Mississippi, and some have already adopted the mentoring program.

Last month, YH₂O was named an Amazon Web Services (AWS) City on a Cloud Innovation Challenge winner.  With this honor, the Program will receive up to $10,000 in AWS promotional credits, up to $10,000 in unrestricted financial support, and up to three AWS training vouchers.  In November, the YH₂O program won the Greater Baltimore Committee (GBC) Bridging the Gap Achievement Award, which recognized the program’s positive impact on the Maryland economy and business climate.  In 2018, the Water Environment Foundation (WEF), a global network of water quality professionals and associations, honored the program with a Public Communication and Outreach award for its significant accomplishments. 

The YH₂O Career Mentoring Program is open to Baltimore City residents between the ages of 18 and 24 who have a high school diploma or GED, are unemployed or underemployed, and not currently engaged in post-secondary education or job training. A driver’s license is preferred, but not required.  There is no cost involved for participants.

Applications are available by calling Anthony L. Greene of MOED at 410-396-6722; by visiting Department of Public Works Human Resources Office, 2^nd Floor, 200 Holliday Street or by downloading it from the MOED website. Applications can be submitted online or hand delivered to MOED, 101 West 24^th Street by Friday, February 14, 2020.