Yukon Water and Wastewater Operator

The Yukon Water and Wastewater Operator program (YWWOP) offers a range of courses designed to meet the needs of new and prospective water and wastewater operators, as well as current operators working within governments (municipal, territorial, federal or First Nation) and the private sector (e.g. mining, water delivery). Our courses are also relevant to any health professional, supervisor, technician or homeowner involved with or interested in water and wastewater.

Our ‘Core’ courses are designed to prepare the participant to write a related Environmental Operators Certification Program (EOCP) exam. ‘Elective’ courses are designed to develop technical  and workplace essential skills related to the water and wastewater sector, and offer continuing education units (CEUs). ‘Specialized’ courses can be developed to meet the needs of a specific group.

Certification and exams

The Environmental Operators Certification Program (EOCP) administers certification of water and wastewater operators in the Yukon. To write a certification exam, contact EOCP at least three weeks in advance: crm.eocp.ca or 1 866 552 3627.

For the complete schedule of EOCP exam sessions, or to schedule an exam session in your community, please contact EOCP directly.

Location/web-conferencing

YWWOP courses and EOCP exam sessions are typically held on-site at the Whitehorse Ayamdigut Campus and can also be facilitated at any Yukon University community campus or surrounding Northwest Territories and Northern BC community on an on-demand basis. Alternatively, YWWOP courses are available through web-conferencing (Zoom) and attending part through web-conferencing and part on-site is an option.

Contact the program advisor for details or to organize a course in your community.

Registration

Registration closes three weeks prior to the beginning of any YWWOP course. YWWOP requires a minimum enrollment, which varies from from course to course, in order to run a course.

Specific course deliveries can be purchased by a group or employer.

Contact the program advisor for details or to purchase specific course deliveries.

The Yukon Water and Wastewater Operator Program (YWWOP) works with professionals and regulators to improve and enhance the water and wastewater industry and help address and advocate for its needs for training and education.

This focus is reflected in the members of the YWWOP Steering Committee, which is comprised of a mix of operators, government and private business representatives. The goal of the steering committee is to provide advice to Yukon University.

The Steering Committee also provides strategic direction to YWWOP. Its expert advice helps YWWOP determine what training, services and activities are needed, what will be required in the future, and what resources might be available in the industry to help make that happen.

The Steering Committee represents YWWOP stakeholders - if you have any comments or suggestions that you wish to be considered, please contact the YWWOP Steering Committee.

If you have any questions about the Steering Committee, or are interested in joining the committee, please contact the YWWOP Program Coordinator.

Steering Committee Members

• Blake Battersby, Private Contractor
• Byron Wagner, Utilities Systems Supervisor, City of Whitehorse
• Carlene Hajash, Water Strategy Officer, Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada
• Chris Evans, Manager, Environmental Affairs, Community Services, Government of Yukon
• Craig VanLankveld, A/Manager, Environmental Health Services, Government of Yukon
• Jesse Johnston, Rural Representative 
• Mike McLachlan, Utility Stations Supervisor, Water and Waste Services, City of Whitehorse
• Ray Osborne, Owner and Senior Circuit Rider Trainer, Northern Utility Maintenance
• Shelley Hassard, Executive Director, Association of Yukon Communities
• Steve Perrin, Supervisor, Community Operations, Community Services, Government of Yukon
• Tracey Kinsella, Health Officer, Environmental Health Services, Government of Yukon​​​​​​​

View the YWWOP Steering Committee Terms of Reference
Email the YWWOP Steering Committee

There are no formal admission requirements to participate in any YWWOP course.

The Environmental Operators Certification Program (EOCP) has specific eligibility requirements for writing certification exams; please contact the YWWOP program advisor or EOCP for details.

Water and wastewater operators typically work within governments (municipal, territorial, federal and First Nation) and are increasingly recruited by the mining industry, water delivery and wastewater collection companies and circuit riders. Operators of Large Public Drinking Water systems (≥15 service connections) and Bulk Water Delivery systems (≥5 delivery sites) are required to be certified and certification is highly encouraged for all other water and wastewater operators. In the Yukon, certification is administered by the Environmental Operators Certification Program (EOCP), which regularly holds exam sessions at Yukon University.

The water and wastewater industry is a rapidly changing and growing career area with a shortage of qualified workers to fill positions. A Yukon water and wastewater sector profile found that 25% of respondents have a salary range over $80K per year and that this sector has a top heavy and maturing workforce, with 35% of the workforce expected to retire in the next ten years (YG, 2017).

For those experienced in the water and wastewater industry, YWWOP will help expand skills, maintain certification and keep up with changing technology. For those looking to join the industry, brush up their skills, or join the job market, or those who are simply looking for a new and exciting field to enter, YWWOP can open a range of employment doors.

Fees

Please see course schedule for registration fees.

YWWOP fees currently represent a break-even situation, where tuition solely and entirely support any external instructor salaries and logistics, and most of the program’s costs.

Financial support

CIRNAC-YWWOP funding agreement
Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada (CIRNAC) can support Canadian Indigenous Individuals and Governments – employed or unemployed – for eligible* expenditures related to participating in YWWOP courses. Reimbursement can be up to 100% of total cost**.  

Reimbursement process:

1. The First Nation Government pays, or the First Nation individual pays and submits all receipt to their First Nation Government to be reimbursed.
2. The First Nation Government submits all receipts to our YWWOP Coordinator.
3. Yukon University (on behalf of CIRNAC) reimburses the First Nation Government.

* Eligible expenditures:

• Tuition
• Transport costs (mileage at federal rates)
• Accommodation (hotel)
• Per diems (meals and incidentals at federal rates)

**PLEASE NOTE: reimbursement is allocated on a first-submitted basis until the yearly funds are extinguished.

Community Training Trust Society

The Community Training Trust Society assists Yukon communities and First Nations fund training of employees.

Working UP Program

The Government of Yukon Working UP Program provides financial support to find work or learn a new skill.