The 15-month training program will see Indigenous adults become certified water operators
BRANDON, Manitoba, Sept. 15, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Water First Education & Training Inc. (Water First) and First Peoples Development Inc. (FPDI) are proud to announce the launch of a water treatment plant operator training program in conjunction with eight First Nations communities in Manitoba.
The program will see Indigenous adults participate in the 15-month Drinking Water Internship Program to pursue valuable provincial certifications, which help trainees begin their careers in the water field.
As a development and employment organization, FPDI works with Indigenous communities across Manitoba to organize specialized training opportunities. This kind of collaboration means that FPDI can work as a centralized facilitator for individual communities, unaffiliated communities, or those seeking to build additional capacity. This move supports Water First’s commitment to help develop these critical projects across the country.
The internship will launch October 5, 2026.
Joan Harris-Warren, Executive Director of FPDI, says, “We’re excited to partner with Water First to bring this program to First Peoples Development Inc. partner communities. Specialized training opportunities like this provide valuable benefits to individuals while strengthening the communities they call home and supporting future planning needs.”
Walter Spence, Water First Graduate, conducts water monitoring in the field during his Water First internship training.
Walter Spence graduated from the program in 2025, and now works as Assistant Director of Public Works in Peguis First Nation. He had this to say about the launch of the most recent internship: “As a graduate of this program, I know the benefits that it brings to a community. The internship gave me the skills and confidence I needed to handle anything that comes my way on the job, and I know that the training this group is going to get with Water First will give them the same things.”
During the program, each intern will accumulate 2,000 hours of on-the-job experience with Water First trainers, as well as in their home community water and/or wastewater treatment plants, which is a part of the certification process. With training tailored to meet the requirements for water operators in Manitoba, interns will pursue certification as small drinking water and small wastewater operators as well as Class 1 water treatment. Interns also round out their training with additional workshops in water quality analysis, introduction to environmental water sampling, introduction to mapping and Geographic Information Systems, as well as career readiness training.
“The partnership with FPDI represents the culmination of a lot of hard work, a lot of passion, and a lot of exciting collaboration,” said John Millar, Executive Director and Founder of Water First. “But the real hard work is still to come, as we hand things off to the participants and the trainers to begin the internship. We’re so impressed by this group already, and we can’t wait to see what they accomplish in the next year and a half.”
Water First Graduate working at their local water treatment plant.
These trainings can lead to work in drinking water treatment, wastewater and environmental water careers. The Internship also encourages increased participation of women in the water sciences and offers wrap-around supports to reduce barriers to participation, including childcare services and transportation. Graduates of the program become part of the Water First Alumni Network, with access to continuing career development and education opportunities, as well as an ever-expanding professional network.
“My advice for this group,” says Spence, “is to take full advantage of the opportunity, lean on each other and the trainers for support – and have fun.”
Sustainable access to safe, clean water in Indigenous communities in Canada continues to be a critical issue. Across the country, 21% of First Nations are affected by a drinking water advisory. Clean water challenges are complex and layered. Communities may face issues relating to infrastructure, source water quality, or people to manage water systems – or more than one of these issues at a time. Water First works with Indigenous communities that have identified education and training as part of their solution to the water crisis. Safe water needs skilled people.
Interns learn to use water quality monitoring equipment under the guidance of Water First trainers.
Says Harris-Warren, “There has been tremendous enthusiasm for the program, and we can’t wait to see how these interns grow, learn, and contribute over the next 15 months. We’re looking forward to supporting their journey and seeing the positive impact they make in their communities.”
The eight communities participating in the FPDI Internship are:
Birdtail Sioux First Nation
Ebb & Flow First Nation
Keeseekoowenin Ojibway
Plain First Nation
Rolling River First Nation
Roseau River First Nation
Swan Lake First Nation
Waywawyseecappo First Nation
This marks Water First’s eleventh Internship Program. To date, over 78 Indigenous adults have graduated from Internship programs and logged more than 200,000 hours working in local water treatment plants, Lands and Resources offices, and attending workshops.
This Internship is funded through the generous support of Water First donors, FPDI, and by Indigenous Services Canada and Indigenous Skills and Employment Training. The collaboration will support the training of future water operators and increase local, technical capacity and autonomy in the water management field for today and for generations to come.
About First Peoples Development Inc. (FPDI):
Incorporated in 2006, FPDI is a non-profit organization that facilitates partnerships designed to develop and deliver training-to-employment programs to meet labor market needs internal and external to twenty-eight Manitoba First Nation communities. Learn more: https://fpdinc.ca/
About Water First Education & Training Inc. (Water First):
Water First is a registered Canadian charity that works alongside Indigenous communities to address water challenges through education, training, and meaningful collaboration. Since 2009, Water First has collaborated with over 100 Indigenous communities located in the lands now known as Canada while supporting Indigenous youth and young adults to pursue careers in water science. Learn more: www.waterfirst.ngo.
High-resolution photos and logos available here
For more information, please contact:
| Ami Gopal Director of Development and Communications Water First 1-800-970-8467 ext. 106 [email protected] |
Joan Harris-Warren Executive Director First Peoples Development Inc. 204-987-9570 ext. 576 [email protected] |
Photos accompanying this announcement are available at
https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/a5a38643-e91a-4c6e-afb2-685263e2c4c7
https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/09aca685-adfa-4196-8d17-e0cd26081a72
https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/21ec2456-3057-4636-b478-8079d34b307e
