MOWA Mentorship Program

Mentorship provides a process for new professionals to gain the skills needed to build their own business or the businesses they work with.  Any skilled trade industry will see an eventual “aging out” of experienced professionals.  When this occurs, there is a large gap in knowledge basis for new professionals.  Mentorship allows the bridging of this gap to build competent and confident professionals to continue to build the onsite wastewater industry.

The MOWA Mentorship Program strives to build the reputation of the onsite wastewater industry in Minnesota.  Providing quality education and mentoring to young or new professionals will better serve the public and environment.

Program to be launched in early 2025!

Goals of the Program

  1. Graduate knowledgeable professionals that can adequately and responsibly install SSTS in Minnesota.
  2. Build a network of professionalism that provides resources to build skills in the SSTS industry.
  3. Provide or aid a professional in locating a mentor to complete the program.
  4. Show the importance of being a part of the Minnesota Onsite Wastewater Association (MOWA) to continue to build programs for professionals across the state.

Roles of Participants in MOWA Mentorship Program

Apprentice

The apprentice is the new professional looking for experience to fulfill the requirements of MPCA to fulfill certification.  This individual is willing to learn from experienced professionals.  By participating in the MOWA Mentorship Program, they are willing to complete more than the minimum requirement of MPCA.  Dedication to complete the program in its entirety is required.

Mentor

The mentor is an experienced professional willing to train and evaluate the apprentice.  This person has had extensive experience in the SSTS industry and has the time to provide knowledge to the apprentice.  The Mentor will be building a new professional of the industry.  They will pledge to train, educate, and evaluate the apprentice to build their skills to better serve the SSTS industry of Minnesota.

MOWA

MOWA will provide support to both the Apprentice and Mentor throughout the program.  It will administer the program by managing the application process, locating a mentor (if needed), aid in compiling documentation for submittal to MPCA, an option to review documents prior to MPCA submittal, and provide a final report of completion of the program.

Mentorship Program Options

Option 1: Current Employee of Company with Mentor

A current employee of a company is applying to be the Apprentice and the Mentor would be a person already working for that company that is qualified to be a Mentor.

Option 2: New Professional seeking Mentor

A new professional that is not an employee of a company and is looking for a mentor to fulfill their requirements to become certified.  When an individual is looking for a mentor, they will complete the Apprenticeship Application Form and MOWA will begin the process of locating a Mentor for this Apprentice.

In this option, the Apprentice must be open to a wide geographic location and possibly travel.  In order to find the best possible mentorship, flexibility in scheduling with a mentor is needed.  There is also the option that the Mentor may travel to work with the Apprentice.  This will depend on the Mentor and their availability to do so.

Program Documents

Applications for this program will open in early 2025.  Reach out to MOWA to be put on the waitlist.