Hawkins Apprenticeship Scholarship
About the Scholarship
The National Rural Water Association is pleased to announce the Hawkins, Inc. Apprenticeship Scholarship in support of the NRWA Apprenticeship Program through our State Rural Water Affiliates (SRWA) and their utility members. Hawkins, Inc. has long been a supporter of our industry, and the NRWA Apprenticeship Program by providing scholarships at the state level. This scholarship, however, specifically supports smaller utility systems that might not be able to participate in apprenticeship without this support. Hawkins, Inc. is sponsoring ten (10) $3000 scholarships to be used for costs associated with apprenticeship. These scholarships will be available to utility systems meeting the eligibility requirements on behalf of an existing or future apprentice.
To apply for the Hawkins Apprenticeship Scholarship, a utility representative must complete the form below. Applications open April 27, 2026, and are due June 30, 2026, with no exceptions. After the deadline, applications will be reviewed, and recipients will be notified via email.
Official Rules:
- An eligible utility is a sewer or water system that meets the following requirements:
a. A member in good standing with their State Rural Water Association (SRWA).
b. Located in a state with an active Registered Apprenticeship program. Click here to view if your state has a program.
c. Either has signed a Participating Employer Agreement with the SRWA, or agrees to sign the Participating Employer Agreement, by doing so, agrees to abide by the SRWA Standards of Apprenticeship.
d. Eligible system serving population of 2500 or less; and/or: USDA- 80% or less of SMHI - An eligible system does not have to have an apprentice placed at the time of selection, but agrees to have an identified apprentice within six months of the award.
- The utility/system is responsible for completing the scholarship application on time.
Eligible Expenses
This scholarship will be made to defray any legitimate training cost related to Apprenticeship, i.e. laptop, tuition, text books, Certification testing costs; specialty equipment, or PPE. The SRWA program coordinator will be responsible for determining if an expense is apprenticeship related.
If you have issues with submitting the form, please contact Kaylyn Snow at 580-252-0629.
Success Story – Sherburne Fire District #1
The Sherburne Fire District #1 is a small utility with just three staff and limited funds. Receiving the Hawkins Apprenticeship Scholarship has made it possible to sustain the apprentices’ participation in the program, as well as retain the apprentice at that system. The financial support from the Hawkins Scholarship made it possible for apprentice Brett Vereecke to have a laptop, textbooks, and training to continue excelling in the program. Brett has set out ambitiously to pursue the highest-level certifications that he can achieve while working at the facility. He works hard at studying and has met with success in passing his exams. His participation in the apprenticeship program is a large part of the succession planning for the Sherburne Fire District, as the other operators at the system begin to look at retiring in the coming years. Support from the Hawkins Scholarship has made this transition process and the training needed possible while serving a community with a small operating budget.
“[Brett] was able to take the Vermont State Grade I and II exams within 8 months of his employment and pass them both,” said Chief Treatment Plant Operator John Gates. “I believe that without having all the help and support that he was given by this program, he would have been unable to accomplish this.”