HAVERHILL — Whittier Regional Vocational Technical High School senior Kayden Curtis has earned the distinction of being the youngest licensed wastewater operator in Massachusetts after passing the state’s Municipal Grade 4 Wastewater Treatment Exam on his 18th birthday.
Curtis, who has been working at the Merrimac Wastewater Treatment Facility as part of his school’s co-op program, successfully completed the exam, a rare accomplishment for someone so young. His supervisor, Justin Craig, recognized his potential early on and encouraged him to take the test.
“Kayden has been doing great! He shows up with a positive attitude and is ready to get right to work,” Craig said. “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. This is an impressive achievement, and we all look forward to his continued success.”
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His achievement comes at a critical time, as the wastewater industry faces a wave of retirements, increasing demand for skilled operators to maintain public health and environmental standards.
Eli Roy, a plumbing instructor at Whittier Tech, praised Curtis for his dedication. “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. 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.”
Curtis credits Whittier Tech and his mentors for his success. “I’m grateful to Whittier Tech for giving me the foundation I needed to pursue this opportunity,” he said. “Mr. Roy invested in me, pushed me to learn, and encouraged me every step of the way. I’m excited to see where this career takes me.”
Michelle Jenkins, Information Officer for Wastewater Certification at NEIWPCC, the organization that oversees the exam, emphasized the importance of career technical education in preparing students for in-demand jobs.
“It’s wonderful to see technical schools preparing students for this field through such valuable programs,” she said.
