Watershape University

Careers

Aquatics is an interesting and complicated field of work. There are several very different careers in aquatics. Even in the design/build sector of the industry there are many career paths that require specific training. This doesn’t even consider the many occupations within the manufacturers, distributors, service and retail sectors.

Consider a single-person design/build firm – He or she must market, advertise, sell, design, bid, build, manage subcontractors, coordinate with others to transition the watershapes over to the owners and service professionals, and, importantly, operate a profitable business. Larger design/build firms do these things as well but will often have dedicated personnel for in-house building trades, tasks like scheduling, customer service, accounting, etc.

Watershape University offers programs and certifications in all aspects of the design/build sector of the aquatics industry. Here we describe various design/build jobs and the credentials that align with them.

Certifications

Certifications document a student’s progress through Watershape University (WU) and the International Watershape Institute (IWI). Credentials can be obtained at multiple steps as the student progresses from a beginning student (“freshman”) to more advanced levels of training and expertise (“senior” and “post-graduate” levels). Credentials are acknowledged via wall certificates and the industry’s first digital badging system.

Licensure

Watershape University’s Certified Watershape Foreman (CWF) certification is recognized by the following jurisdictions for continuing education and licensing purposes:

Benefits of Digital Badging

  • Acknowledgement on the WU website, searchable by potential clients in your area
  • Digital badge for your own website
  • Downloadable certificate for your wall or presentation to potential clients
  • Real-time online verification

Online Verification of Credentials

Verification of credentials is important for potential clients. We have a simple digital badging system that allows all credential icons to be clicked and verified against our live University Management System (UMS). Credential icons include the URL verify.watershape.org – Each badge is linked back to the UMS database to verify whether it was earned by the person claiming it as well as validation of criteria met, expiration dates as they relate to continuing education requirements, fees paid, etc.

If the link does not match the database then verification cannot occur. If the database indicates that the credential has expired then verification cannot occur. It is a system that automatically keeps everyone honest about their achievements with WU.

Fees

  • $100 per year per WU credential up to $600 maximum
  • All employees of a Verified Watershape Company (VWC) are covered by the maximum fee of $600 per year
  • $900 per year for IWI credentials in addition to VWC credential fee of $600 maximum

Certification Overview

Pathfinder Infographic

Click badges for details

International Watershape Institute (IWI)
International Watershape Institute (IWI)
Certified Watershape Professional (CWP)
Certified Watershape Professional (CWP)
Certified Watershape Designer (CWD)
Certified Watershape Designer (CWD)
Certified Watershape Builder (CWB)
Certified Watershape Builder (CWB)
Certified Watershape Renovator (CWR)
Certified Watershape Renovator (CWR)
Certified Watershape Foreman (CWF)
Certified Watershape Foreman (CWF)
Certified Watershape Company (CWC)
Certified Watershape Company (CWC)
Certified Watershape Inspector (CWI)
Certified Watershape Inspector (CWI)
Certified Watershape Electrical Specialist (CWES)
Certified Watershape Electrical Specialist (CWES)
Certified Watershape Finish Specialist (CWFS)
Certified Watershape Finish Specialist (CWFS)
Certified Watershape Ozone Specialist (CWOS)
Certified Watershape Ozone Specialist (CWOS)
Certified Watershape Plumbing Specialist (CWPS)
Certified Watershape Plumbing Specialist (CWPS)
Certified Watershape Tile Specialist (CWTS)
Certified Watershape Tile Specialist (CWTS)
Certified Watershape Waterproofing Specialist (CWWS)
Certified Watershape Waterproofing Specialist (CWWS)