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American Water Launches 2026 Flow Forward Summer Camp Program

In a proactive move to nurture the next generation of water industry professionals, American Water (NYSE: AWK), the largest regulated water and wastewater utility company in the United States, has announced the introduction of its 2026 Flow Forward Summer Camp Program. This initiative is designed specifically for high school students in their sophomore, junior, and senior years, providing them with a unique, multi-day workforce development experience.

The Flow Forward program features a range of skill-building workshops, resume and interview preparation sessions, and networking opportunities with seasoned industry professionals. This year, the program is targeting high school students from Indiana, Iowa, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia, making it a significant regional outreach effort.

Lori Sutton, Executive Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer at American Water, expressed her enthusiasm for the program, stating, "Investing in young people is essential to the future of the water industry. Through programs like Flow Forward, American Water is helping youth build skills, explore career pathways, and gain hands-on workforce readiness opportunities and mentorship."

The Flow Forward program is part of a broader commitment by American Water to advance the skills and careers of young people through various initiatives. One of these initiatives is the Future Wavemakers Internship Program, which serves as a foundational program aimed at developing future leaders in the water and wastewater sectors. Interns in this program participate in capstone projects, networking events, and skill-building workshops, which are aligned with their academic backgrounds and the company’s goals. In the current year, American Water welcomed 56 college interns across its various workplaces nationwide, enabling them to gain hands-on experience in fields such as engineering, finance, operations, health and safety, communications, and more.

Another key program is Water UP!, tailored for adults in local communities to help them pursue careers in the water sector. This program is in collaboration with Rowan College of South Jersey, and it is hosted annually in different locations across New Jersey. The curriculum for Water UP! includes essential training on water treatment, distribution, safety, and ethics, underscoring the diverse skills needed within the industry.

Moreover, American Water has established a partnership with Hopeworks, a nonprofit organization based in Camden. This collaboration focuses on train-to-hire initiatives that have successfully prepared, trained, and employed young adults in geographic information system projects, demonstrating the company’s commitment to community engagement and development.

American Water continues to invest in workforce development programs, recognizing that a strong talent pipeline is crucial for the sustainability of the water industry and the communities they serve. As part of its mission, American Water aims to keep life flowing by providing safe, clean, reliable, and affordable water services to approximately 14 million people across 14 states and military installations.

For more information about American Water’s workforce initiatives and programs, interested individuals can visit American Water's website or follow them on social media platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

Overall, the 2026 Flow Forward Summer Camp program represents an innovative step towards equipping students with practical skills and experiences that may inspire them to pursue careers in the water sector, fostering growth and sustainability for future generations.