BUCKEYE — West-MEC’s water systems program has been around for three years, growing from 12 students to 50. It is the only high school course of its kind in the state.

West Valley cities like Surprise approached West-MEC to build a pipeline for future municipal water operators. And the jobs are there, according to Surprise’s own water director.

“If you were to look at any utility across the Valley and maybe the southwest, for that matter, they’re probably sitting at about a five to 10 percent vacancy rate right now, and I would venture to guess that, over the next five years, 15 to 20 percent of the workforce will be eligible for retirement,” said Michael Boule, the water department director for Surprise.

Watch the video above to see how the program works.