Instructor Preparation Program (IPP)
Preparing qualified instructors to deliver the Clean Water Certificate nationwide.
The Instructor Preparation Program (IPP) prepares experienced stormwater and green infrastructure professionals to become licensed instructors for the Clean Water Certificate (CWC), a nationally recognized, entry-level workforce training program focused on stormwater and green infrastructure construction and maintenance.
The IPP ensures that CWC instruction is delivered consistently, credibly, and equitably across regions, while allowing instructors to ground the training in local context.
What Is IPP?
The Instructor Preparation Program is a structured onboarding and licensure pathway for individuals seeking to deliver the Clean Water Certificate locally in partnership with the Center for Watershed Protection.
Through the IPP, instructors are prepared to:
- Deliver the CWC curriculum as accredited and designed
- Facilitate classroom and field-based learning
- Apply standardized evaluation and assessment methods
- Uphold program quality, consistency, and integrity across training cohorts
Completion of the IPP is required to become a licensed CWC instructor.
Who Is IPP For?
The IPP is designed for professionals with applied field experience and familiarity with adult and/or youth instruction, including those with backgrounds in:
- Stormwater management or green infrastructure
- Landscaping, construction, inspection, or maintenance
- Municipal or utility operations
- Workforce development or adult education
- Field-based training or crew supervision
This program is not intended for first-time instructors or individuals without applied stormwater or green infrastructure experience.
What Instructors Receive:
Licensed CWC instructors receive:
- Authorization to deliver the Clean Water Certificate under license
- Access to standardized curriculum, instructor guides, assessments, and visual resources
- Training on facilitation, evaluation, and field-based instruction
- Ongoing support through post-training instructor debriefs and quality assurance processes
- Center for Watershed Protection Membership which includes access to our Online Watershed Library and complimentary CWP Webcasts.
IPP participation connects instructors to a growing national network of CWC partners working at the intersection of stormwater management, workforce development, and community resilience while staying connected to current stormwater research and practice.
Program Structure:
The IPP includes guided review of the CWC curriculum and learning outcomes, instruction on evaluation tools and instructor responsibilities, and orientation to quality assurance and reporting expectations.
The Clean Water Certificate Program is accredited under ANSI/ASTM E2659 and undergoes regular program evaluation and management review. Instructor preparation and performance are supported through standardized tools and post-training debriefs to ensure consistent delivery nationwide.
The IPP is a self-paced online training, allowing qualified instructors to complete preparation independently prior to licensure.
Working With Organizations:
The Clean Water Certificate is delivered through a range of partner organizations, including workforce development organizations, utilities, community colleges, municipalities, and other training providers.
These partners often offer a broader suite of skills and credentials that support a growing environmental workforce. The Clean Water Certificate complements those efforts by providing standardized, stormwater-specific curriculum focused on green infrastructure construction, inspection, and maintenance.
CWC trainings are delivered by licensed instructors prepared through the Instructor Preparation Program, allowing organizations to offer locally relevant training while maintaining national consistency and program integrity and national accreditation standards.
Interested in Becoming a Licensed CWC Instructor?
Participation in the Instructor Preparation Program is coordinated directly with the Center for Watershed Protection.
Contact us to discuss becoming a licensed instructor.
Kaitie Evers, Stormwater and Watershed Training Coordinator
Email: training@cwp.org
Phone: 410-442-6433