EJWP-programme creates European young water professionals

The European Junior Water Programme (EJWP) is offering a boost to young water professionals pursuing a career in European water management. This new two-year programme for international networking and exchanging knowledge and skills was launched in June during the Water Innovation Europe Conference in Brussels.

Eight junior water professionals from different Member States started gaining international experience through working in international teams, joining international conferences and field visits. The junior water programme is designed to provide participants with the tools, the skills and a network to find new solutions and share knowledge for the purpose of creating and maintaining a sustainable and safe water management system in Europe.

Fragmented water sector

Knowledge about water management in Europe is still fragmented and separated by geography and culture and the ageing water sector workforce risks the loss of knowledge and skills. During the programme the participants will cooperate on local European water systems and implement challenging projects addressing pressing issues through practical assignments.

Support

The programme is supported by international organizations, companies and partners. Every quarter, all participants will come together for a week facilitated by one of the participating organizations. The European Junior Water Programme consists of a total of 8 weeks of training divided over 2 years. During the time between training weeks, they will work on an individual or team project. Overall, participants will spend one day a week on the programme.

Network

Participant Martha Bjarnar Gjermo from Aqua Alarm in Norway hopes to establish new connections within the European water industry. “Also understanding more about emerging innovations, solutions and techniques to solve emerging problems, water scarcity, unknown pollution and climate changes on a European level is something I hope to achieve through this program.”

Water smart society

Participant Rosa Esposito is working as a technology consultant in the Italian team of Isle Utilities. Rosa firmly believes in the importance of a European network of professionals in order to make the difference in recognizing potential opportunities, achieving goals and in definition of shared methodologies for the creation of a water smart society in Europe.

Registration

The first group of eight professionals under the age of 35 has started and now registration is open for a second group that will start in June 2020. The deadline of early bird registration for participation in the second EJWP Group is the 15st of December 2019. Deadline registration Group 2 is 1 March 2020.

More information: juniorwathttps://juniorwaterprogramme.eu/erprogramme.eu