Assessing Capacity Development Needs in Albania’s Water Sector: Insights from the Training Needs Assessment Survey

SHUKALB has released a Training Needs Assessment (TNA) Survey Report for Water and Sewerage (WSS) Companies in Albania. This report offers valuable insights into the current state of capacity development within the water sector in Albania, providing a roadmap for addressing specific training needs identified by WSS companies.

The TNA Survey Report stems from a collaborative effort involving key stakeholders, including utility members, trainers, and partners, during a Validation and Coordination Meeting with Stakeholders held on 23^rd February 2024, in Tirana.

The report delves into various aspects of capacity development, addressing challenges and opportunities within the water supply and sewerage sector in Albania. The key findings were:

• There’s a need for better monitoring and ensuring proper funding for capacity development, as budgets across utilities vary, often falling short of supporting personnel training adequately.
• The workforce is mainly concentrated in water supply operations, but further investigation is needed to justify existing allocations. Concerns about an aging workforce underscore the need for targeted strategies and closer collaboration with utilities.
• Past training programs are generally viewed positively, but improvements in the workplace are not clearly specified. Closer collaboration with utility management and accurate documentation of improvements are needed for program effectiveness.
• While personal and professional skills training, financial management, and asset management are priorities, technical field topics receive less interest. There’s a need for training in long-term planning, financial management, risk management, and regulatory frameworks. Digital transformation, creation of databases and organizational structures are also important but are currently overlooked.
• Utilities value cooperation for knowledge exchange through peer exchanges, conferences, and study visits. Establishing communities of practice is seen as beneficial, despite time constraints.
• Utilities needs to address environmental challenges, particularly regarding wastewater treatment plants. This includes recruiting environmental engineers and developing Environmental Management Plans.

The key recommendations stemming from the report are as follows:

• Share the Training and Capacity Development Programs Calendar: The calendar that includes prioritized trainings, capacity development (CD) programs, peer exchanges, and conferences will be shared by SHUKALB to align our efforts and promoting informed participation.
• Establish an Inter-Institutional Working Group on Capacity Development: This working group aims to facilitate policy dialogue and research on workforce challenges and management topics. It will bring together key stakeholders from the Ministry, Water Regulatory Authority (ERRU), National Agency for WSS (AKUK), WSS Companies, Municipalities, and Local Government Associations. Additionally, the group will develop policy recommendations to enhance the legal and regulatory framework.
• Collaborate closely with AKUK, ERRU, and Supervisory Councils of Utilities: Close collaboration with these entities is vital to ensure proper training budget allocation, advocate for increased financial resources, and support the implementation of the Training and Test Based Certification Program. Furthermore, enhancing awareness among utilities about workforce challenges and conducting further inquiries into specific knowledge gaps are essential.
• Develop New Curricula to Address Additional Training Needs: We propose the development of new curricula to address identified training needs in areas such as institutional frameworks, financial management, technological advancements, environmental issues, and leadership skills.
• Establish and Facilitate Participation in Communities of Practice: Establishing Communities of Practice will encourage meaningful engagement of utility staff, fostering knowledge sharing and professional development.

As SHUKALB strives to foster continuous improvement and sustainable growth within the water sector, we are confident that with the continued support and collaboration with water utilities and other water sector stakeholders, we can address the identified training needs effectively and drive positive change within the sector. For more information, please read the full report here.