Program description and covered topics

The need to support and enhance the management culture in the water utility sector is undisputed. The State of the Sector reports and the opinions of various stakeholders in the industry repeatedly prove this necessity. Utilizing the already-developed D-LeaP programs and in partnership with leading utilities in Central and Eastern Europe, the Utility Management Training aims to “equip” current and future water-sector managers with tools and techniques to support their decision making. 

The World Bank as institutional partner offers the Utility of the Future (UoF) program, which is designed to catalyze, materialize and maintain transformation efforts in Water Supply and Sanitation (WSS) utilities. A utility joining the programs aims to become the Utility of the Future — a future-focused utility, which provides reliable, safe, inclusive, transparent, and responsive WSS services through best-fit practices that allow it to operate in an efficient, resilient, innovative and sustainable manner (www.worldbank.org/uof). In the course of the program, UMT participants will be exposed to the Utility of the Futures methodology and will gain the ability to:

• outline a strategic vision of a water and sanitation utility,
• analyze it in a comprehensive manner,
• understand its performance,
• identify its key elements for change and
• prepare it for a fast-changing environment.

The academic partner, Sofia University, further brings academic structure and rigour to the program and allows for the collection of ECTS credits .

The program spans over eight topics that, collectively, cover most of the major processes and functions in a water utility. These are:

• Financial and Organizational Management
• Commercial Management and Customer Service
• Asset Management and Investment Planning
• Network Operations
• Energy Management and Energy Efficiency
• Plant Management
• Utility Economics and Regulation
• Water Safety and Business Continuity Management  

Module timeline

Each of the topics is delivered in one module, which is typically organiszed within a three month period, resulting in a two-years program duration. In addition, an induction module scheduled at the beginning of the program will provide overall guidance to the UMT participants and introduce all relvelant trainers and partners.

Module structure

Spread over two years the modules combine theory and practice, classroom trainings and field demonstrations. Each module is organized with an introductory webinar, a one-week “residential” activity and some follow-up work typically based around cases that the UMT participants bring from their own work environments.

Learning goals

All major business areas of the water utility business covered – both core and support functions included
Focus on “equipping the managers” – applicable tools and techniques to bridge operations level and management level
Application of the Utility of the Future methodology
Demonstration and site visits by the competence partners (sector practitioners), and utility partners
Each participant will develop a graduation project (to be practically implemented)

Benefits and deliverables

Participation fees and other costs

The participation fee amounts to €6.000,- for two years covering the following:

• introductory webinars 
• costs of the residential workshops and excursions
• the training material including access to the Learning Management System (D-LeaP Academy)

Travel and accommodation costs have to be covered by the applicants themselves. Scholarships to subsidize a part of the participation fees are available. Please scroll down for further information. The UMT participation fee is an eligible cost under TA of investment projects financed by a number of IFIs.  

Scholarships

The World Bank with the support of the Global Water Security & Sanitation Partnership (GWSP) invites eligible utility staff, who intend to participate in the UMT and who are in need for financial assistance to join the program, to apply for a co-funding scholarship supporting participation. The scholarship can cover up to a maximum of 80% of the tuition fees. Successful applicants receiving a scholarship will have their fees for participation in the UMT reduced by the amount allocated and will need to confirm ability to pay the balance. Please find further information on the Scholarships as well as the link to the Scholarship Application form in the Scholarship Announcement!

How to apply to the program?

Please download the Application form to register for the Utility Managment Program.

Are you interested in the program, but not yet sure, if it is the right choice for you? You would love to join, but the registration fee is far too high for you to cover? Drop us an email at office@d-leap.org to schedule your personal virtual meeting with us to discuss the program in detail and your options to join!

Participating Hubs

The Utility Management Training will be delivered in the regional Danube Hub operated by IAWD.