NUWA Train-the-Trainers School

Now recruiting: wastewater

7–11 December 2026, the Netherlands — the first, in-person stage of training for wastewater specialists, followed by online learning. The programme is organised by the Association “Ukrvodokanalekologia” and NUWA with the support of Dutch colleagues and prepares prospective NUWA trainers.

Water utilities are invited to nominate staff working directly in wastewater: wastewater treatment plant process engineers and technologists; sewer network operations specialists; laboratory specialists monitoring wastewater quality and treatment processes.

Nominations close on 28 October 2026. The application form is in Ukrainian; it is run by the Association “Ukrvodokanalekologia”, whose authorised staff process candidates’ personal data.

About the School

The Train-the-Trainers School is NUWA’s flagship programme, launched with the support of the Association “Ukrvodokanalekologia” and Dutch water sector partners. We combine European expertise, modern adult-learning methods and the daily experience of Ukrainian professionals to help the sector move from crisis response to modernisation, digitalisation and energy independence of critical infrastructure.

About the programme

• Goal — a certified national community of practitioner-trainers who will train utility staff and hromada representatives across Ukraine.

• Format — a comprehensive three-phase programme for leaders and mentors.

• Methodology — andragogy (adult learning), interactive formats, development of modules for the NUWA online platform, simulation and field training.

• International placements — practical sessions in the Netherlands and Poland; accommodation, logistics and training costs are covered under partner programmes.

• Scale — selection, training and certification of the first cohort of 65 national trainers.

What participants gain

• Status and certification — a NUWA trainer certificate and inclusion in the Academy’s register of certified trainers and experts.

• Access to leading practice — methodologies of leading Dutch water operators and international training centres.

• Adult-learning skills — group facilitation, interactive tasks, case studies, modelling and blended learning.

• Flexible engagement — service contracts, a transparent three-tier fee scale and a modular schedule of 15–25 training days a year, compatible with a full-time job.

• Guaranteed audience — the Academy forms groups and handles communication with learners, from operational staff to utility managers and local government specialists.

Priority training areas

• Energy efficiency and energy management (ISO 50001) — specific energy use (kWh/m³), energy audits, renewable energy.

• Wastewater collection and treatment — mechanical and biological treatment, sludge treatment, resource recovery.

• Hydraulic modelling and water loss reduction — GIS, SCADA, software such as WaterGEMS, non-revenue water (NRW) audits.

• Crisis management and resilience — business continuity planning (BCP), operating during blackouts and military threats.

• Tariffs, financial modelling and compliance — public procurement, preparing investment and grant projects.

• Integrated water resources management for hromadas — cooperation between utilities and local governments, infrastructure development planning.

How to take part

1. Application — choose “Train-the-Trainers” in the form on the Contacts page.

2. Competitive selection — assessment of professional experience and an interview with a joint expert panel of partners.

3. Three-phase training — andragogy modules, practical sessions abroad (Poland, the Netherlands) and finalisation of the trainer’s own course.

4. Certification and contract — a NUWA trainer certificate, a service contract and the start of teaching in the Academy’s programmes.