HAVERHILL — This high schooler traded cake and candles for a pen and paper on his 18th birthday, making waves by becoming the youngest professional in his field across the state.
Kayden Curtis, a senior at Whittier Tech, is now the youngest licensed wastewater operator in Massachusetts after passing the state exam on his 18th birthday.
His achievement was recognized by the New England Interstate Water Pollution Control Commission (NEIWPCC), the organization that administers the exams.
“It’s wonderful to see technical schools preparing students for this field through such valuable programs,” said Michelle Jenkins, Information Officer for Wastewater Certification at NEIWPCC.
Curtis said there were three crucial characters in his life that also deserved recognition: Whittier’s plumbing instructor Eli Roy, his work supervisor Justin Craig, and his grandfather Paul Woiceshook.
Woiceshook was a handyman himself, with some skin in the game through running his own business, Paul’s Plumbing and Heating. Curtis said he could recall getting his hands dirty while working alongside his grandfather, which developed his passion for the work early on.
When it came time to apply for a workshop at Whittier, plumbing was an easy choice. And it seems to hold a designated spot on many other students’ schedules as it is one of the technical school’s most popular programs with about 90 enrollments this year.
There, he learns from Roy, whose classroom sits beside a sprawling workstation lined with workbenches stocked with every pipe, wrench, bolt, and bearing a plumber could ask for.
“I’m incredibly proud of Kayden. His willingness to put in the effort, both on the job and in his studies, is setting him up for a successful future,” said Roy. “This field needs dedicated young professionals like him, and he’s proving that students can step into these vital roles right out of high school.”
Roy said he noticed his pupil’s proficiency and recommended him for a position at the Merrimac Wastewater Treatment Facility. In January, Curtis began strapping on his work boots for shifts at the facility – a paid opportunity where he trains under Craig.
After only a few weeks and with his 18th birthday approaching, his supervisor suggested that he put himself to the test.
“Kayden has been doing great! He shows up with a positive attitude and is ready to get right to work,” said Craig. “He quickly picked up the daily operations and demonstrated exceptional potential. I pushed him to take the exam knowing he had what it takes, and he proved me right.”
On Jan. 18, Curtis was finally old enough to take the Massachusetts Municipal Grade 4 Wastewater Treatment Exam. The birthday boy walked into the PSI Testing Facility in Lawrence and walked out with his certification, passing the test with flying colors and setting a precedent for the young minds of the trade.
His accomplishment comes at a crucial time for the wastewater industry, which is struggling to fill positions amid a wave of retirements. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) estimates that about one-third of the nation’s drinking water and wastewater operators will be eligible to retire in the next decade.
Another report, conducted by the NEIWPCC, found that 53% of Maine’s wastewater operators were over 50 years old, reflecting a similar trend across New England.
As the aging workforce flushes away, the water sector faces challenges in recruiting new faces into the trade. From January to March of last year, there were 402 wastewater exams taken across the state, with only 114, or 28.4%, passing.
This makes for the perfect passing of the wrench to young, skilled professionals like Curtis. From learning intricate mechanics at Whittier to gaining hands-on experience in Merrimac, many are certain this kid is on a pipeline to a successful career.
“This is prime time for anyone my age to dive in and put the work in,” Curtis said. “Focus on your goal, learn, get licensed, and make good money.”
The demand for wastewater operators is high and according to online databases, professionals in the field earn an average salary of about $64,000 in Massachusetts.
Graduation is on the horizon for Curtis as he finishes up his final months of the plumbing program. The workshop is a staple of Whittier, with it being offered since the school opened 52 years ago. Due to it’s continuous growth, there are plans to expand the shop and add a third instructor into the mix.
Curtis said he will miss the workshop and he is thankful for all it has taught him, but he’s got his toolbox packed for a full-time position at the treatment facility once he gets that diploma.