This week, EDC Warren County was proud to support the launch and first graduating class of WAVE – Workforce Advancement through Vocational Education, a collaborative pilot program designed to help justice-impacted individuals gain real vocational skills, rebuild confidence, and re-enter the workforce with purpose.
Working alongside the Warren County Department of Workforce Development, The Water Genome, Local 773 Plumbers & Steamfitters, the Warren County Sheriff’s Office, Ben Deeb Training & Consulting, and many other committed partners, WAVE participants spent a week learning plumbing, electrical, and assembly skills while building The Water Spot — portable clean-water stations destined to support communities in need.
What makes this effort special is the combination of hands-on training, a supportive environment, and the knowledge that their work has immediate impact in the world. As local entrepreneur and Water Genome co-founder Drew FitzGerald shared at graduation, these participants should be proud: they’ve helped more people access clean drinking water while building transferable skills that are in high demand across our region.
At EDC, we believe strongly in the power of second-chance employment as part of our broader strategy to strengthen Warren County’s workforce. Programs like WAVE connect people to opportunity, expand the talent pipeline for local employers, and reflect the kind of inclusive, innovative partnerships that move our region forward.
Congratulations to the inaugural WAVE graduates. And thank you to our partners for proving what’s possible when community comes together with purpose.
https://edcwc.org/wp-content/uploads/WAVE-press-release.pdf