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Learning Program

Learning program for developing digital skills in the public utilities sector.

The training program for developing digital competencies in the utilities sector is aimed at implementing modern technologies and digital solutions to increase the efficiency, sustainability, and safety of the utilities infrastructure, as well as improving the quality of public and utilities services.

The program covers key areas of interest:

  • digital strategy,
  • data collection, management, and security,
  • data processing, use, automation, and intelligence,
  • change management and people-oriented digitalization,
  • green goals and sustainable development.
Training courses on digitization of public utilities


Basic / Fundamental training courses

Ref. No. 001 | Introduction to Digital Skills

Topic: Data processing/use/automation/intelligence

Duration: 12 academic hours

Organization in charge:
ANIS – Academy for National and Information Security – Plovdiv

Format: In-person, online, or hybrid

Objective: To develop basic skills for working with computers, portable devices, and network technologies.

Contents

  • Internet protocols and fundamentals of networks.
  • Email communication: creating and managing email accounts, calendars, tasks, and contacts.
  • Working with tablets and smartphones and their applications
  • Video conferencing platforms – working with Zoom, Google Meet, Microsoft Teams, Webex (creating and managing meetings, interactive features).
  • Basics of social media (Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn) and digital ethics.
  • Working with artificial intelligence – ChatGPT
Ref. No. 002 | Office software

Topic: Data processing/use/automation/intelligence

Duration: 12 academic hours

Implementing organization:
TU – Technical University – Plovdiv branch

Format: In-person, online, or hybrid

Objective: To learn basic applications for office work.

Contents

  • Microsoft Word – basic functions for creating and formatting text, document layout, exporting.
  • PowerPoint – creating and formatting presentations, graphs, charts, exporting.
  • PDF software – viewing, editing, and creating PDF files (Adobe Acrobat, Foxit Reader, and alternatives).
Ref. No. 003 | Office software

Topic: Data processing/use/automation/intelligence

Duration: 12 academic hours

Implementing organization:
TU – Technical University – Plovdiv branch

Format: In-person, online, or hybrid

Objective: To learn the basic functions for working with Microsoft Excel.

Contents

  • Microsoft Excel – basic functions for creating and formatting tables, basic formulas, references, exporting.
Ref. No. 004 | Cloud technologies

Topic: Digital Strategy

Duration: 12 academic hours

Implementing organization:
TU – Technical University – Plovdiv branch

Format: In-person, online, or hybrid

Objective: To master cloud technologies and platforms in order to improve access to information and operational efficiency, and to develop skills for the safe use of remote access tools.

Contents

  • Explaining the concept of digital transformation in the context of the water sector.
  • Presentation of new technologies and their application (e.g., IoT, big data, artificial intelligence, and cloud services).
  • Fundamentals of Cloud Platforms
  • Use of cloud platforms for data storage and
    analysis.
  • Advantages of cloud solutions for collaboration
    and monitoring.
  • Examples of implemented IoT solutions in the water sector
Ref. No. 005 | Digitalization for green goals in the water supply and sanitation sector: Innovations for sustainable water resource management

Topic: Green goals

Duration: 12 academic hours

Implementing organization:
BWA – Bulgarian Water Association

Format: In-person, online, or hybrid

Objective: The objective of the course is to provide participants with basic knowledge and skills for applying digital technologies in the water supply and sanitation sector, with a focus on achieving the Green Sustainable Development Goals. The course examines how technologies can support energy efficiency, carbon emission reduction, and effective water resource management in the context of climate change and environmental sustainability.

Contents

  • Explaining the concept of digital transformation in the context of the water sector.
  • Presentation of new technologies and their application (e.g., IoT, big data, artificial intelligence, and cloud services).
  • Fundamentals of Cloud Platforms
  • Use of cloud platforms for data storage and
    analysis.
  • Advantages of cloud solutions for collaboration
    and monitoring.
  • Examples of implemented IoT solutions in the water sector


Specialized training courses

Ref. No. 006 | Geographic Information Systems (GIS)

Topic: Processing/use/automation/intelligence

Duration: 12 academic hours

Implementing organization:
BWA – Bulgarian Water Association

Format: In-person, online, or hybrid

Objective: To acquire basic skills in using GIS for planning, monitoring, and managing water supply and sanitation infrastructure.

Contents

  • Fundamentals of GIS and mapping of water supply and sewerage networks.
  • Collection, processing, and visualization of geospatial data.
  • Working with platforms such as ArcGIS and QGIS for mapping water supply and sewerage networks.
  • Analysis of data to detect problems (e.g., leaks, blockages).
  • Possibilities for integrating GIS with other systems (SCADA, ERP, IoT).
Ref. No. 007 | SCADA systems for water supply and sewerage infrastructure management

Topic: Processing/use/automation/intelligence

Duration: 12 academic hours

Implementing organization:
TU – Technical University – Plovdiv branch

Format: In-person, online, or hybrid

Objective: Acquisition of basic skills for working with SCADA systems

Contents

  • Fundamentals of SCADA systems (architecture, components, operating principles).
  • Centralized and local SCADA
  • History of SCADA use in the water supply and sanitation sector in Bulgaria
  • Control equipment and communication protocols
  • Planning projects for SCADA integration
  • SCADA applications for monitoring and control of water supply and sewerage networks and facilities.
  • Emergency management and optimization of production processes.
  • Examples of SCADA system implementation in water supply and sewerage companies.
  • Environmental aspects and contribution to environmental protection
  • Difference between remote monitoring and SCADA
  • Introduction to IoT technologies and their application in water supply and sanitation.
  • Remote monitoring equipment – operating principle, communication protocols, etc.
  • Types of sensors for measuring flow rate, pressure, water quality, temperature, and other parameters.
  • Integration of IoT with SCADA and other management platforms.
  • Examples of implemented IoT solutions in the water sector
Ref. No. 008 | ERP systems

Topic: Change Management / People-Centric Digitalization

Duration: 12 academic hours

Implementing organization:
TU – Technical University – Plovdiv branch

Format: In-person, online, or hybrid

Objective: Knowledge of the use of an ERP system to improve the efficiency of business processes and achieve better operational results.

Contents

  • Introduction to ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) systems. Decentralized and centralized integrated information systems. Classification.
  • Basic technologies in ERP management systems. Methodology and models for implementing integrated information systems.
  • Risk factors during implementation and methods for overcoming them.
  • SAP as the world’s number one ERP system. Architecture. Organizational structure and business process management.
  • Sales and Distribution Module. Organizational structure for working with customers.
  • Material Management Module. Organizational structure. Purchasing raw materials and supplies.
  • Warehouse Management Module. Packaging, inventory, loading, and shipping.
  • Finance Module. Main tasks of operational accounting.
  • Controlling Module. Purpose. Cost control and optimization. Cost centers. Pricing.
  • Management of company assets. Planned and preventive maintenance of equipment.
  • Human Resources Module. The organizational structure of the company and human resources management.
  • Methods for ensuring information security in ERP systems.
  • Security policies, data transfer methods, databases in ERP systems.
  • Application of artificial intelligence (AI) in ERP systems. Built-in artificial intelligence services in modern ERP systems.
Ref. No. 009 | Customer Information Systems (CIS) and Remote Access Service Platforms

Topic: Change Management / People-Centric Digitalization

Duration: 12 academic hours

Implementing organization:
BWA – Bulgarian Water Association

Format: In-person, online, or hybrid

Objective: To acquire skills for the effective use of CIS, which will help increase customer satisfaction, improve business results, and strengthen the company’s competitiveness.

Contents

  • Understanding the essence and functions of CIS
  • Optimizing customer interactions
  • Using data to make informed business decisions
  • Customer base management and segmentation
  • Improving the customer experience
  • Processes automation
  • Improving marketing campaigns
  • Maintaining a high level of customer loyalty
  • Understanding Security and Data Protection
  • Integration with other systems
  • Environmental aspects and contribution to environmental protection
Ref. No. 010 | Building digital twins

Topic: Digital Strategy

Duration: 12 academic hours

Implementing organization:
BWA – Bulgarian Water Association

Format: In-person, online, or hybrid

Objective: To provide knowledge and skills for using digital twins to improve efficiency, innovation, and safety in various industrial contexts.

Contents

  • Explaining the concept of digital transformation in the context of the water sector.
  • Presentation of new technologies and their application (e.g., IoT, big data, artificial intelligence, and cloud services).
  • Examples of successful digitization projects in industry
  • Understanding the concept of digital twins
  • Practical application in the water supply and sewerage sector
  • Acquiring skills in working with simulation and data analysis tools
  • Process optimization and prediction of future events
  • Integration of different technologies
  • Innovations and new business models
  • Data security and management
  • Environmental aspects and contribution to environmental protection
Ref. No. 011 | Cybersecurity and data protection

Topic: Data collection / management / security

Duration: 12 academic hours

Organization in charge:
ANIS – Academy for National and Information Security – Plovdiv

Format: In-person, online, or hybrid

Objective: To develop skills for safe working on the Internet. To develop skills for protecting digital systems and infrastructure from cyber threats.

Contents

  • Protection of personal information and data.
  • Counteracting phishing and malicious software.
  • Password security and use of two-factor authentication.
  • Recognizing online scams and cyber threats.
  • Fundamentals of cybersecurity and digital asset protection.
  • Specific risks to water supply and sewerage infrastructure and protection against them.
  • Data and network protection policies and procedures.
  • Resilience of water supply and sewerage management systems and protection against hacker attacks.
  • Tools and solutions for monitoring the security of water supply and sewerage networks
Ref. No. 012 | Data analysis

Topic: Data collection / management / security

Duration: 12 academic hours

Implementing organization:
BWA – Bulgarian Water Association

Format: In-person, online, or hybrid

Objective: To develop skills for processing and analyzing big data in order to optimize water supply and sewerage management.

Contents

  • Explaining the concept of digital transformation in the context of the water sector.
  • Presentation of new technologies and their application (e.g., IoT, big data, artificial intelligence, and cloud services).
  • Examples of successful digitization projects in industry
  • Introduction to data collection processes in various areas of the water sector (e.g., water supply, wastewater management, water quality monitoring, etc.).
  • How to choose appropriate methods and technologies for data collection (sensors, measuring devices, IoT).
  • The importance of data quality and proper data management for the efficiency of water services.
  • Basics of statistical data processing.
  • Database creation and management
  • Principles of data-driven decision making.
  • Fundamentals of data analysis (Big Data, machine learning, and artificial intelligence).
  • Usage of analytical tools for forecasting water supply needs.
Ref. No. 013 | Remote monitoring / Data collection technologies / Data application

Topic: Processing/use/automation/intelligence

Duration: 14 academic hours

Organization in charge:

Format: In-person, online, or hybrid

Objective: To provide knowledge and skills for using remote monitoring as an approach for effective management of various processes in water supply and sewerage networks and facilities.

Contents

  • Introduction to remote monitoring – history, basic principles, strategies, benefits • Remote monitoring devices – general description, operating principle
  • Communication protocols
  • Interpretation and correct use of data from remote monitoring devices
  • Applications of remote monitoring in operational water supply and sewerage networks and facilities
  • Software for visualization and management of data from remote monitoring devices
  • Presentation of successful projects
Ref. No. 014 | Equipment for operational measurement of water quantity

Topic: Processing/use/automation/intelligence

Duration: 10 academic hours

Organization in charge:

Format: In-person, online, or hybrid

Objective: To provide knowledge of the available technologies for measuring various operating parameters in water supply and sewerage networks and facilities. To acquire and improve skills in opperating equipment for measuring water quantity, pressure, level, and quality.

Contents

  • Importance of water quantity measurement for the management of water supply and sewerage networks and facilities
  • Types of devices for measuring water quantity
  • Analysis and application of water quantity measurement data
Ref. No. 015 | Digitization of hidden leak detection – satellites, fixed hidden leak detection systems, emergency module

Topic: Processing/use/automation/intelligence

Duration: 8 academic hours

Organization in charge:

Format: In-person, online, or hybrid

Objective: To improve knowledge of acoustic technologies for detecting hidden leaks. To learn about the latest technologies for detecting hidden leaks.

Contents

  • Acoustic technologies for detecting hidden leaks
  • Innovative solutions for detecting hidden leaks
  • Satellite technologies for detecting hidden leaks

The training courses are provided free of charge under the UDIH 4 EU project within the framework of the de minimis aid scheme.

Please use the form below to request training. We will contact you/your organization to take care of the required administrative procedures.

Project “UDIH 4 EU” BG16RFPR002-1.002-0008-C01 is implemented under procedure BG16RFPR002-1.002 within the framework of the Program “Scientific Research, Innovation and Digitization for Smart Transformation” 2021–2027, co-financed by the European Union through the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF). The project is in line with Priority 1: Sustainable development of the Bulgarian research and innovation ecosystem and Priority Area 4: Synergy with the Horizon Europe and Digital Europe programs.