James Biagi, Eric Brown, Diane Burris, Cedric Rosales, Taylor Robillard, Preston Wardlow, Jenna Bruggeman and Dina Cox attend the first day of classes at WSUTech.

8.9.21

Building Success for Future Generations

Registered Apprenticeship Program Prepares Students for Construction Careers

WICHITA, Kansas (August 9, 2020) – Today, four WSU Tech students are getting a hands-on start to their career. As part of Alberici and Burns & McDonnell’s commitment to growing local workforce opportunities in association with the design and construction of Wichita’s new Northwest Water Facility, the companies partnered with WSU Tech to cover tuition for four students enrolled in either the Registered Apprenticeship in Construction Science Program or other construction-related programs.

Apprentices in the two-year program will spend time in the classroom to achieve certifications at WSU Tech and will earn a competitive wage while working in the field under the guidance of a mentor. Apprentices will work for CAS Constructors, Decker Electric, Dondlinger or Wildcat Engineering, all subcontractors building the City of Wichita’s Northwest Water Facility.

“The partnership is beneficial for all involved,” shared Ron Coker, Senior Vice President, Burns & McDonnell. “The students get the benefit of hands-on learning in both the classroom and on the job site, the employer benefit from a dedicated workforce eager to learn and grow, and the City benefits by introducing a new generation, some of which may never have been exposed to construction, into the City’s construction workforce.”

Eric Brown graduated high school in May 2021 and is an apprentice with Dondlinger Construction. He works with a team responsible for valve work and installation.

“It feels good to know the work I’m doing now will impact future generations,” Brown said.

All apprentices will have the opportunity to work on Wichita’s Northwest Water Facility, the replacement for the city’s current 80-year-old water treatment facility. The state-of-the-art water treatment facility is expected to be fully operational in 2025.

“Apprenticeships are not only a way for companies to establish and enhance their own talent pipelines,” said Leah Roeder, Assistant Director for WSU Tech. “They are also a way to empower the workforce to explore and be educated on career pathways made transparent by mentors as they learn highly needed skills and competencies.”

For more information about the Apprenticeship Program, please visit: wichitawaterworks.com/apprenticeshipprogram.

About Alberici and Burns & McDonnell
Alberici is a diversified construction company recognized for its strong execution of projects and has built a legacy of rock-solid reliability through the work of their employees, who deliver each project with quality, excellence, and integrity. Burns & McDonnell is a family of companies bringing together an unmatched team of more than 8,000 engineers, construction professionals, architects, planners, technologists and scientists to design and build critical infrastructure and has been helping the City of Wichita with water infrastructure since 1920. The joint venture is leading the design and construction of the Northwest Water Facility. The team is rooted in the Wichita community and is committed to the successful delivery of the Northwest Water Facility and associated economic growth in Wichita. To learn more about the project and team, visit WichitaWaterWorks.com.