All Veolia Water UK companies have introduced a personal development planning system for employees that provides a more structured approach to learning and career development. Staff can access the Personal Development Centre on-line which enables them to book library resources, time on e-learning development zones or view tutor-led courses.

In 2006 2,024 Veolia Water UK employees received training (some employees were trained more than once). This ranged from professional & academic qualifications to specific technical courses, with all team leaders and managers being developed in "Diversity at Work" and "Health & Safety in Practice." We also undertook the assessment of all company drivers with them being required to undergo a detailed 1 hour practical assessment.

Courses planned for 2007 are based on the company's Training Needs Analysis which was undertaken in October 2006 and details all of the training required by the team. This includes soft & hard skills with the introduction of the company's new performance review process. Specific development courses have also been written that will ensure our team leaders / managers have the soft skills required to achieve the personal competency levels required for their role from communication to teamwork & leadership. The total annual cost to the water companies (excluding salaries) as a percentage of total annual gross salary was 1.5%.

Folkestone & Dover Water staff regularly participate in environmental awareness and safety training as part of the company's maintenance of the environmental management standard ISO14001. The company's practice of continually upgrading skills at all levels was rewarded in 2004-5 when it won two Learninvicta Awards. The Awards are designed to mark success in training and personal development.

Veolia Water Industrial Outsourcing has developed a computer-based package for training employees in environmental and safety issues.

From 2005 training has been provided by the Veolia Environnement Development Centre, Staines, a subsidiary of Campus Veolia Environnement. The Centre provides the Veolia Environnement group businesses in the UK.