MAYORS
Principle 5
Grow a Skilled Workforce and Contractor Base
Key Actions
Key Action 1
Champion local workforce development
Mayors and local elected officials can play a vital role in building the workforce needed to accelerate lead service line replacement. By facilitating the development of new workforce initiatives or partnering with existing programs, local leaders can help create a strong pipeline of skilled workers—boosting both public health and local economic opportunity.
Support workforce training programs
Investing in training programs prepares residents for in-demand careers in the water sector, especially in high-impact roles like crew leaders. Local leaders can further strengthen these efforts by encouraging or requiring contractors to hire apprentices and prioritize local hires.
Workforce development efforts can:
- Expand contractor capacity by developing a trained local workforce, helping to avoid labor shortages that slow replacement efforts and drive up costs.
- Create lasting job opportunities by turning temporary lead service line replacement (LSLR) work into permanent construction careers.
- Build community trust and improve outreach by hiring local workers who understand and reflect the neighborhoods they serve—making it easier to access homes and engage residents.
By championing workforce development, mayors and local officials not only advance LSLR efforts but also deliver long-term economic and social benefits to their communities.
Toolbox
Workforce pipeline programs
Workforce pipeline programs
Key Action 2
Require apprenticeship programs in LSLR contracts
Cities and counties with a significant number of lead service lines may implement an apprenticeship program to both build contractor capacity as well as employ and create long-term career opportunities for affected residents.
Give preference to residents and hire locally
By ensuring that replacement jobs go to underserved populations from high-poverty areas, utilities can help the local economy by keeping a portion of lead pipe replacement funds circulating within the community. This may also ease efforts to access properties as local residents who are part of field crews know the community (and sometimes the occupants of a given home), which can support community outreach efforts.
Track key metrics and demographics
Track key metrics and demographics related to the new hires and apprentices in workforce development programs. Keeping track of these measures can help ensure that these programs are benefiting the intended groups and enable necessary readjustments to achieve the program’s stated goals.
Collaborate with unions
Collaborate with unions, which have expertise in creating apprenticeship programs leading to good-paying jobs. This collaboration has the added benefit of building union membership, including local union representation for people of color and young people from the community.
