Nearly two-thirds of New York State (NYS) residents get their drinking water from surface sources, prompting widespread public interest in water quality. For example, many citizen volunteers monitor their local water bodies through the Citizen Statewide Lake Assessment Program (CSLAP). However, numerous threats to water quality have emerged in recent years, such as climate change and novel contaminants, that will alter the distribution of healthy waters in the state. As new threats arise, existing monitoring will need to adapt to better characterize impacts to water resources and respond to changing conditions. Last year, we piloted an apprenticeship program aimed at developing the future workforce in water-related fields. We aim to build on this program in the upcoming year. This program will provide opportunities for experiential training which engages the communities that rely on healthy water resources.