ESCANABA, Mich. (WZMQ) – Bay College has been nationally recognized for its efforts to help students seamlessly transition from the classroom to the job site.
Bay has received the 2025 National Council for Workforce Education Exemplary Workforce Credit Award for its Water to Work internship program. The program is a collaborative effort between Bay College, the City of Grand Rapids, and Grand Rapids Community College.
“The EPA gave a grant to the City of Grand Rapids to build their water workforce,” explained Cindy Gallagher, Vice President of Workforce, Innovation, and Strategic Partnerships at Bay College. “Because of the curriculum that Bay College has with water, Grand Rapids Community College reached out to Bay to see if we would become a partner in this work.
Students take online classes in Bay’s water technology program while they complete paid, in-person internships at water treatment facilities in Grand Rapids. The “earn-to-learn” model allows students to get a head start on their careers while earning the academic credentials they need. With municipal water departments across the state facing a need for new talent, Gallagher says the program is a perfect fit for Bay College.
“One of the things that we’re hearing from industry is the shortage that they have with the workforce,” she said. “Bay College’s alignment to really connect with industry partners to fill this need is really what’s elevating us to a different level. Right now, it’s 100% placement, so the students are being placed automatically within the Grand Rapids workforce as soon as they complete. It’s exciting to see this work happen and really placing students into the workforce a little bit sooner in the process.”
For more information on the Water to Work internship program, visit baycollege.edu and grcc.edu.
