Water Workforce Leadership Academy
A cohort-based leadership and career pathway program for students and adults entering the water workforce.
Aura Rainwater Foundation • WIME™ Workforce Initiative
Building the Future of the Rainwater & Water Infrastructure Workforce
Aura Rainwater Foundation is building the next generation of skilled talent for rainwater harvesting, water infrastructure, advanced manufacturing, engineering, and sustainable water systems through education, industry partnerships, hands-on training, and the WIME™ Framework.
- Exposure
- Education
- Technical Training
- Industry Credentials
- Apprenticeship
- Employment
- Entrepreneurship & Leadership
A 501(c)(3) nonprofit foundation based in the Austin area and serving Austin and the Central Texas region — partnering with colleges, municipalities, workforce agencies, manufacturers, and employers to build the water workforce, with programs designed for expansion across Texas.
The Challenge
The Water Workforce Is Changing
Water infrastructure, workforce transitions, emerging technologies, advanced manufacturing, and the growing need for resilient water systems are creating demand for a new generation of skilled professionals.
Workforce
Retirements and skill transitions across the water sector
Infrastructure
Aging systems requiring modernization and skilled operators
Technology
Controls, automation, and data changing technical roles
Manufacturing
Domestic production of water-system equipment and components
Water Resilience
Drought, reuse, and decentralized supply strategies
The Opportunity
Rainwater Is Becoming Infrastructure
Rainwater harvesting is more than conservation. Modern rainwater systems bring together collection, conveyance, storage, filtration, treatment, pumps, controls, water quality, manufacturing, engineering, installation, operations, and maintenance.
That creates opportunities for technicians, installers, operators, designers, engineers, manufacturers, water-quality professionals, entrepreneurs, and other skilled professionals.
- Technicians
- Installers
- Operators
- Designers
- Engineers
- Manufacturers
- Water-Quality Professionals
- Entrepreneurs
Introducing WIME™
A Workforce Framework for the Emerging Water Economy
01
Water Infrastructure
Distribution, treatment, storage, and resilience systems that serve communities and industry.
02
Manufacturing
Equipment, components, and technologies that make modern water systems possible at scale.
03
Engineering
Design, integration, and technical expertise that connect systems to measurable outcomes.
WIME™ stands for Water Infrastructure Manufacturing & Engineering — connecting education and hands-on technical learning with industry credentials, apprenticeships, employers, and career opportunities across rainwater harvesting and the broader water infrastructure economy.
The WIME™ Pathway
From Exposure to Entrepreneurship
Every WIME™ participant moves through a structured, industry-aligned progression — from first awareness to career ownership.
1
Exposure
2
Education
3
Technical Training
4
Industry Credentials
5
Apprenticeship
6
Employment
7
Entrepreneurship & Leadership
Where Education Meets Industry
Building Skills for the Future of Water
These five domains form one connected workforce ecosystem — with rainwater harvesting as our distinctive entry point into the broader water industry.
Distinctive Area of Leadership
Rainwater Harvesting
Collection, conveyance, storage, filtration, treatment, pumps, controls, system design, installation, operations, and maintenance.
Water Infrastructure
Resilient and decentralized water systems, conservation, water reuse, operations, and emerging infrastructure solutions.
Advanced Manufacturing
Manufacturing, fabrication, equipment, tanks, pumps, treatment technologies, controls, automation, and water-system components.
Workforce Pathways
Education, technical training, credentials, apprenticeships, work-based learning, employment, and career advancement.
Industry Innovation
Connecting employers, educators, manufacturers, government, associations, workforce organizations, and communities to accelerate workforce innovation.
An Emerging Water Workforce
A Rainwater System Is More Than a Tank
Modern rainwater harvesting is engineered water infrastructure — designed, built, commissioned, and maintained across residential, commercial, institutional, industrial, and community applications. Every stage below is a discipline, a supply chain, and a career pathway.
01
Catchment
02
Conveyance
03
Pre-Filtration
04
Storage
05
Pumping
06
Treatment
07
Controls
08
Distribution
09
Water Quality
10
Operations & Maintenance
Rainwater Infrastructure in Practice
Connecting education, infrastructure, and workforce opportunity through real-world water systems.
ResidentialCommercialInstitutionalIndustrialCommunity
Every stage requires knowledge, equipment, technology, skilled labor, and industry expertise.
Through WIME™, Aura Rainwater Foundation is helping connect these systems to education, technical training, credentials, work-based learning, and career opportunities.
Our Mission
Education, equity, and economic opportunity through water.
We prepare learners and communities for the future of water infrastructure, sustainability, rainwater harvesting, manufacturing, and environmental leadership.
Water Education
Teaching communities how water systems, conservation, rainwater harvesting, and sustainability shape our future.
Workforce Innovation
Building career pathways into water infrastructure, manufacturing, environmental leadership, and technical skills.
Hydration Equity
Expanding access to clean hydration education, wellness resources, and community-centered water awareness.
Featured Programs
All programs Programs that build water leaders.
WIME™ Workforce Innovation Program
A multi-week training pathway connecting water infrastructure, manufacturing, engineering, and environmental systems.
Hydration & Workplace Safety
Corporate and employer training focused on hydration as a safety, wellness, and performance issue.
Rainwater Harvesting Fundamentals
A technical education workshop introducing rainwater capture, conservation, filtration, and practical system design.
Community Emergency Water Preparedness
Training for neighborhoods, nonprofits, schools, and community organizations on water readiness and resilience.
Our ImpactSee full impact
Our work connects education, equity, and economic opportunity through the future of water.
5,500+
Community members reached
100+
Community sign-ups
All ages
Students, adults, employers, partners
Statewide
Workforce pathways being built
Build the WIME™ Ecosystem
Industry Transformation Requires an Ecosystem
WIME™ unites partners across education, industry, technology, workforce development, government, and community. Each category is essential to building durable, industry-aligned water workforce pathways.
Employers & Hiring Partners
Hire WIME™ graduates and help shape curricula to match real workforce needs.
Education Partners
Schools, colleges, and universities embedding WIME™ into academic pathways.
Training Partners
Technical training providers delivering hands-on, industry-aligned instruction.
Apprenticeship Partners
Employers and sponsors offering registered, work-based learning and earn-and-learn roles.
Equipment & Technology Partners
Manufacturers and vendors supplying systems, tools, and digital platforms.
Industry & Technical Partners
Associations and experts advancing standards, certifications, and best practices.
Government & Public-Sector Partners
Cities, counties, and agencies investing in resilient water workforce systems.
Workforce Development Partners
Boards and intermediaries connecting talent to training and employment.
Community Partners
Nonprofits and local organizations expanding access, equity, and reach.
Become a WIME™ Partner
Help Build the Next Generation of the Water Workforce
WIME™ brings education, industry, technology, workforce development, and community partners together to build pathways into the careers shaping the future of water.