For National Apprenticeship Week, we have the privilege of spotlighting Shantelle Clarke, PO, and Theron Perry, PO. Apprenticeships are a key component of workforce development and professional growth, particularly as the water and wastewater industry faces increasing challenges.
Water Professionals International (WPI) continues to address knowledge gaps not only through recruitment strategies, but also by promoting professional development opportunities, such as the Professional Operator (PO) program, across the industry. Central to that effort are leaders like Shantelle Clarke, whose work in training, certification, and mentorship is helping shape the next generation of water professionals.
With more than 20 years of experience in water and wastewater operations, training, program management, and organizational leadership, Shantelle has built a career focused on strengthening both systems and people. Known for combining technical expertise with strong leadership, she has an exceptional ability to make complex information clear and engaging. Her experience spans utility operations, treatment plant supervision, course development, and regional training leadership.
In addition to her role as an Apprenticeship Coordinator with Evergreen Rural Water of Washington, Shantelle serves WPI as a Subject Matter Expert for exam development and as a C2EP Commissioner. In these roles, she helps shape the standards and integrity of certification programs across the industry. She also holds PO certifications in Wastewater Treatment IV, Water Distribution Manager IV, and Wastewater Collection III, reflecting her ongoing commitment to professional excellence.
Part of that commitment is investing directly in others, which is reflected in her work with apprentices like Theron Perry.
Below, Shantelle shares Theron’s journey in her own words.
Theron Perry’s journey into the water industry is proof that it is never too late to start something new, build a new career, and truly thrive.
Theron jokes that the only title or certification that really matters is one he “borrowed” along the way: PFM, or Pure Freakin’ Magic. The phrase stuck, and his son even made him a desk plaque that reads, Theron Perry, PFM, Public Works Director. What began as a joke has become a fitting symbol of the attitude, determination, and sense of humor that carried him through a complete career change and into a profession he now genuinely loves.
Theron was hired by the City of Roy, Washington, in June 2021 as a Public Works Assistant, despite having no previous experience in the water industry. He enrolled in the Evergreen Rural Water of Washington (ERWoW) QUEST program to begin building his knowledge and skills, and after one year, earned his Water Distribution Manager (WDM) Level 1, and Cross Connection Specialist certifications through the Washington State Department of Health. The QUEST program then served as a direct bridge into Year 2 of the ERWoW Apprenticeship, helping him continue forward on a clear and structured career pathway.
When Theron learned of an opening with the City of Rainier, Washington, for a Public Works Supervisor in Training position, he recognized it as an opportunity to take the next step in his career. Although the role required a WDM 2, which he did not yet have, he moved forward with confidence and stepped into both the position and Year 2 of the apprenticeship program in early 2024. He completed a full schedule of classes and put in the hard work needed to prepare for his Level 2 exam. After a focused three-day exam prep course through ERWoW, he took the test in October and passed. On January 1, 2025, he officially assumed the role of Public Works Supervisor for the City of Rainier. Continuing that momentum, he also passed his Professional Operator (PO) Distribution 1 certification through Water Professionals International in early April, becoming the first graduate of the ERWoW Apprenticeship to receive his certification.
Theron’s story reflects the powerful connection between apprenticeship and the PO program. Apprenticeship builds the foundation through hands on experience, technical instruction, and mentorship, while the PO program allows operators to continue advancing by strengthening and validating their knowledge and skills. Together, these programs do more than support individual achievement. They open doors, build confidence, and create meaningful, long-term career pathways in the water industry. Especially during National Apprenticeship Week, stories like Theron’s are a strong reminder of the impact these opportunities can have, not only on the lives of individual operators, but also on the future strength of the workforce as a whole.
As Theron puts it, ERWoW’s Apprenticeship changed his life. After making a complete career change at 52 years old, he can honestly say he loves what he does.
And sometimes, it really is just PFM.
Shantelle’s passion for workforce development extends beyond individual success stories. As she explains, the impact of apprenticeship is both deeply personal and meaningful:
I truly love helping people and watching them succeed in this industry. As the Apprenticeship Coordinator for Evergreen Rural Water of Washington, I am incredibly proud to be in a role where I get to support individuals as they grow into confident, capable professionals. Seeing someone enter the industry with little or no experience, take initiative, commit to the process, and reach meaningful milestones is one of the most rewarding parts of what I do.
I have even cried tears of joy when an operator tells me they passed their certification exam. Those moments are real, and they matter. They represent the hard work, persistence, and commitment it takes to succeed in this field. Watching that progression continue into achievements like earning a Professional Operator (PO) certification takes it one step further, demonstrating not only competence, but a clear commitment to excellence and ongoing professional growth.
This profession needs leaders. It needs individuals who are willing to step forward, take ownership of their development, and push themselves beyond what is required. Programs like apprenticeship help build that foundation, while certification and the Professional Operator program reinforce it by validating knowledge and elevating standards across the industry. Leadership in this field is not about title, it is about accountability, work ethic, and the example set every day. Those who hold themselves to a higher standard are the ones who move teams forward and strengthen the industry as a whole.
The work I do in apprenticeship directly aligns with my volunteer roles at Water Professionals International, where I serve as a Subject Matter Expert and Chair of the Collections Certification Commission. Across both, the focus is the same: strengthening the workforce, supporting operator excellence, and creating clear, achievable pathways for the next generation of water professionals.
Shantelle’s career and leadership reflect the very principles she describes. Through her work in apprenticeship, certification, and as an industry volunteer, she not only supports individual operators, but also helps elevate standards across the profession. Her ability to lead with both expertise and authenticity makes her a powerful role model for those entering and advancing within the field.
At WPI, we are proud to work alongside Shantelle and to celebrate both her impact and Theron’s success. Together, they represent the power of mentorship and the lasting impact of investing in the people who make this industry what it is.
