HALIFAX, Nova Scotia--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Veolia today launched the Veolia Workforce Academy North America in Canada, starting a free, fully digital training program to help Canadians begin and advance careers in the water and wastewater sector. Available at academy.veolia.us, the program is designed to reduce barriers to entry by providing online training at no cost, strengthening the environmental security of communities across the country.
Approximately 30% of Canadian water and waste treatment plant operators are aged 50 and over, with more than one-third of the broader sector workforce sitting in older age brackets. Many municipalities and utilities report difficulty attracting and retaining qualified personnel. At the same time, aging infrastructure, climate change and evolving regulatory requirements are increasing demand for skilled operators who can manage increasingly advanced water and wastewater treatment systems.
“Canadian communities depend on skilled water and wastewater operators to protect public health and the environment,” said Marco Fontana-Giusti, Canada Vice President, Municipal Services for Veolia in North America, who introduced the program at the 2026 National Water and Wastewater Conference in Halifax. “Veolia Workforce Academy North America removes financial and accessibility barriers that can prevent people from entering this essential sector. We are proud to offer this program at no cost and help municipalities across Ontario build the skilled workforce they need for the future.”
Water workforce challenge creates opportunities
Water and wastewater utilities across Canada are facing a growing workforce challenge as experienced operators retire. Veolia Workforce Academy North America coursework helps participants develop the technical knowledge to be certified to work in Canada’s water and wastewater industry, which is projected to have thousands of new openings in the near future:
National average pay sits around $58,103 to $72,952 per year, with entry-level positions starting near $44,850 and experienced operators earning upwards of $80,350+ per year.
New technologies, aging infrastructure, climate change and evolving regulatory requirements are increasing the need for qualified water and wastewater professionals.
The program is being rolled out in Ontario first and then across the country through partnerships with provincial water and wastewater associations to pursue certifications for the program by respective provincial certification offices. In Ontario, the online training aligns with the requirements of the Ontario Water & Wastewater Certification Office (OWWCO). Aspiring operators can gain foundational knowledge to help prepare for entry-level certification, while current professionals can use the program to support their career development and pursue higher-level certifications.
The self-paced digital format makes the training accessible to participants across Ontario, including those in smaller and remote communities. It also provides municipalities and utilities with an additional resource to support recruitment, onboarding and employee development.
Water jobs create stable, well-paying careers
“Access to quality, no-cost training is essential for smaller municipalities that may not have the resources to develop their own operator training programs,” said Fontana-Giusti. “Veolia Workforce Academy North America helps level the playing field and ensures communities of all sizes can attract and develop qualified water and wastewater professionals.”
Water and wastewater careers offer stable, well-paying employment opportunities in a field that protects communities from future risk while providing employees the satisfaction of helping their neighbors. The sector has also demonstrated resilience during economic downturns and is expected to continue growing as communities invest in infrastructure and adapt to changing environmental conditions.
Veolia Workforce Academy North America is part of Veolia’s GreenUp commitment to supporting the communities it serves. The program launched earlier this year in the United States and is now expanding to Canada, with Ontario serving as the first province in the Canadian rollout. It is a unique free-of-charge, fully digital workforce training and employment pathway program coordinated by Veolia, designed to expand nationwide access to water-sector careers while creating skilled jobs and strengthening North America water infrastructure to ensure access to high-quality water.
ABOUT VEOLIA
Veolia, a global leader in environmental services, works every day to build ecological security for the benefit of public health and the competitiveness of industries and regions. With 215,000 employees across five continents, working closely with local communities, and thanks to its cutting-edge technologies, the group cleans up pollution, reduces carbon emissions, and regenerates resources through concrete solutions that combine its expertise in water and water technologies, waste – including hazardous waste management, and local energy. In 2025, the Veolia group served 110 million people with drinking water and 97 million with sanitation, produced 45 million megawatt hours of energy, and treated 64 million tons of waste. Veolia Environnement (Paris Euronext: VIE, Fortune 500, SBF 120) generated consolidated revenue of €44.4 billion in 2025.
In North America, Veolia is a leading environmental services provider with more than 15,000 employees working at over 500 locations. It's the largest private water operator in the U.S., a leading water technology provider, and a hazardous waste and pollution treatment leader. It is uniquely positioned in the American market with a leadership role in improving water quality and removing pollutants offering a full spectrum of water, waste, and energy management services and technology, including water and wastewater treatment, commercial and hazardous waste collection and disposal, energy consulting and resource recovery. www.veolia.com - www.veolianorthamerica.com
