Veolia has launched its Workforce Academy North America in Canada, offering free online training intended to help people enter and advance in the water and wastewater sector.

The program is rolling out first in Ontario, where its coursework aligns with the requirements of the Ontario Water & Wastewater Certification Office. The self-paced training is designed to provide foundational knowledge for aspiring operators preparing for entry-level certification and support current professionals pursuing higher-level certifications.

Veolia plans to expand the program to other provinces through partnerships with provincial water and wastewater associations and efforts to pursue recognition from their respective certification offices. The digital format is intended to make training accessible to participants in smaller and remote communities and provide municipalities with an additional resource for recruitment, onboarding and employee development.

The launch comes as Canadian utilities face challenges attracting and retaining qualified operators. Veolia estimates that approximately 30% of Canadian water and wastewater treatment plant operators are at least 50 years old. Aging infrastructure, climate change and evolving regulatory requirements are also increasing demand for skilled personnel.

The academy launched earlier this year in the United States and is part of Veolia’s GreenUp commitment. The Canadian program is available at no cost through Veolia Workforce Academy.