Denver Water, the organization responsible for supplying clean and reliable water to over one million people, is doing more than just maintaining critical infrastructure. In 2023, the utility launched a youth apprenticeship program in partnership with CareerWise, opening doors for young professionals to explore careers in public service and gain real-world skills.

The program’s goal is to build a strong talent pipeline across lesser-known but essential career paths in water utilities. Early Career Senior Specialist Ashley Kessens was hired to help lead the program’s implementation and growth.

“We want to help create a talent pipeline for the next generation of employees at the utility,” said Ashley. “This program helps promote fields that may not be widely recognized but are incredibly important to how we serve our community.”

The first cohort of apprentices started in August 2023 and included roles in GIS, land surveying, finance, and warehouse operations. Apprentices are fully integrated into their teams and treated like regular employees from day one. They work on meaningful projects that contribute to the day-to-day success of Denver Water and its long-term mission.

One of those apprentices is Tierra Parkinson, who works in GIS and IT. She spends her days analyzing data, building maps, and developing automated solutions that support internal teams and external customers.

“I’ve learned so much—about data, coding, and how to work in a professional setting,” Tierra shared. “At first, it was overwhelming, but with support from my team and real project experience, I’ve gained skills I never thought I would have two years ago.”

Tierra’s apprenticeship has also helped her grow personally. She has gained confidence, developed time management skills, and learned how to speak up in team settings.

“I’ve become more disciplined and better at balancing school, life, and work,” she said. “This experience helped me see what kind of career I want to pursue. Whether I stay at Denver Water or go somewhere else, I know the path I want to take.”

One apprentice on the land surveying team has already turned their apprenticeship into a full-time job at Denver Water, which is a key success metric for Ashley and her team.

“Youth apprenticeship helps bridge the gap between our Youth Education team and our long-term talent strategy,” said Ashley. “It gives young people the chance to explore careers and gives us the chance to develop future employees.”

Ashley sees apprenticeship as more than just work experience. It is an investment in the future of the workforce and the communities Denver Water serves.

“It’s well worth the time and investment,” she said. “Watching eager students learn and grow while bringing fresh ideas to our teams has been incredibly rewarding.”

Through youth apprenticeship, Denver Water is laying the foundation for a future workforce that is skilled, community-rooted, and ready to lead. CareerWise is proud to support employers like Denver Water who are redefining what early-career talent development can look like in today’s economy.