Xylem will provide quarterly training programmes throughout 2027 to support the European Water Academy, as the EU seeks to strengthen water-sector skills, technology adoption and resilience across Europe.
The commitment follows the launch of the European Water Academy in Brussels on 21 September.
Coordinated and implemented by the European Commission’s Joint Research Centre (JRC), the Academy is a flagship action under the EU Water Resilience Strategy and is intended to address skills gaps, support technology transfer and strengthen the competitiveness of Europe’s water sector.
Xylem backs European Water Academy training programme
Xylem said it will deliver quarterly training programmes during 2027 through its new Xylem Academy.
The initiative will provide training for employees, customers and channel partners, with a focus on supporting the adoption of new technologies and best practices across the water sector.
The European Water Academy is designed to develop a next-generation workforce while connecting industry, education, research and innovation.
The European Commission’s Water Resilience Strategy Actions Tracker identifies skills, research, innovation and technology transfer as part of the programme for building a more competitive and water-resilient Europe.
Training targets technology adoption and water resilience
Xylem said Europe’s water sector faces increasing pressure from ageing infrastructure, more complex systems and the need to respond to extreme weather.
Utilities and industrial operators are also being asked to improve water efficiency, maintain reliable services and adopt digital technologies as water management becomes more data-driven.
Hayati Yarkadas, EVP and President, Water Infrastructure at Xylem, said: “Europe’s water resilience depends on the people who operate, maintain and improve critical water systems every day. The challenge is not whether solutions exist, but how quickly we can equip utilities and industries to implement them at scale. With the Xylem Academy, we want to make that knowledge more accessible and help our partners prepare for the future of a resilient Europe.”
The European Commission’s Water Resilience Strategy includes digitalisation and artificial intelligence among its priority areas, alongside infrastructure, investment, innovation and skills.
Xylem Academy expands water-sector training network
Xylem said its programme is supported by a growing network of water infrastructure training centres across Europe.
Training centres are already operating at Xylem facilities in Langenhagen, Germany; Madrid, Spain; Dordrecht, the Netherlands; and Montecchio, Italy, with further locations planned during 2027.
The centres are intended to combine formal learning with practical opportunities to work directly with water technologies and explore their application in operational environments.
Xylem already operates an Academy in Dordrecht, where current courses cover areas including pumping systems, maintenance, monitoring and control, and digital management tools.
EU strategy puts skills alongside digitalisation and water reuse
The wider EU Water Resilience Strategy aims to restore and protect the water cycle, build a water-smart economy and secure clean and affordable water and sanitation.
Its implementation programme includes action on water efficiency, infrastructure, digitalisation, artificial intelligence, research, innovation and workforce skills.
Tanja Pentcheva, Director, Europe Government and Industry Relations, Xylem, said: “Europe has set an ambitious agenda for water resilience, but the next challenge is turning that ambition into results on the ground. What matters now is helping utilities build the capability to keep water services running through extreme weather, address leakage, integrate digital and AI tools into complex systems, and adopt water reuse as part of their operations. Our contribution to the European Water Academy is one practical way Xylem can help close that gap.”
The JRC describes the European Water Academy as a skills, research and innovation initiative intended to help tackle capacity needs across Europe’s water sector and facilitate technology transfer.
For more developments in digital water and infrastructure technology, visit H2O Global News’ Technology section.
Source: Xylem
