HYDRIA's South (Forest) and North (Haren) wastewater treatment plants have for years struggled to attract experienced candidates for process technician positions. To address this labor market shortage, a 'tailor-made' training program was designed several months ago through close collaboration between the Process and Human Resources departments of HYDRIA and Aquiris (North Plant), Actiris, Bruxelles Formation, and Technicity Brussels. The first participants began their training on September 7, 2026.
The objective of this training is to equip Brussels job seekers with the 'job-specific skills' necessary for the role of Process Technician. The educational program includes 96 days of technical training, primarily conducted at the facilities and workshops of Technicity Brussels/Bruxelles Formation, as well as at the Advanced Technologies Center (CTA) of the F. Fischer Institute for subjects related to chemistry and biology. Topics covered include wastewater treatment, electricity, industrial mechanics, safety, and instrumentation.
Candidate selection involved three stages: a pre-selection by Actiris based on HYDRIA's specified profile, a skills assessment test, and an individual motivation interview before a jury composed of representatives from the organizations involved in developing the project. Ultimately, 10 individuals were selected. They were welcomed on September 8 by Loïc Ramboa, Head of the Operations Unit, for a tour of the South WWTP to gain practical insight into the functioning of a treatment plant.
This first training cycle will conclude at the end of February 2027. As a partner, HYDRIA has committed to recruiting 80% of the participants who successfully pass the final exam, to fill vacant positions within the South and North Wastewater Treatment Plants.
