Water Efficiency Programs Regulations: Accreditation Requirements and Trainer Qualification

In a strategic move aimed at enhancing water security and improving consumption efficiency in line with the goals of the Kingdom's Vision 2030, the National Center for Water Efficiency and Conservation (Ma'i) has adopted a new regulatory framework for accrediting training programs and institutions in the field of water efficiency and conservation. This step complements national efforts to institutionalize the water sector and regulate professional practices within it, ensuring the sustainability of water resources for future generations.

Strategic context and national importance

This regulation is significant as it forms a cornerstone of the national water strategy, as the Kingdom seeks to reduce water consumption in the urban, agricultural, and industrial sectors. It is expected that regulating training in this field will contribute to creating a new professional job market with qualified national personnel capable of conducting water audits and designing engineering solutions for water conservation. This will positively impact the reduction of water loss and lower consumption bills at both the individual and institutional levels.

Regulations and training pathways details

The approved regulations stipulate that their provisions apply to all licensed training providers wishing to offer "non-qualification" programs in the field of water efficiency. The regulations specify detailed pathways for these training programs, including:

• Water testing in urban, agricultural and industrial facilities.
• The efficiency of transmission and distribution networks.
• Designing and implementing energy efficiency and consumption rationalization solutions.

18 requirements to ensure quality

To ensure the quality of outputs, the regulations set strict accreditation standards, with Article Five requiring training providers to submit a formal application that includes:

• The regulatory licenses are valid.
• A detailed description of the training content and the targeted learning outcomes.
• A feasibility study proves the labor market's need for the program.
• Providing qualified trainers with a minimum of a bachelor’s degree and documented work experience.
• An electronic system for managing trainee data and results.

Operational commitments and strict control

Article Fourteen of the regulations stressed the need for training institutions to adhere to standards of transparency and quality, including:

• Providing effective channels for receiving and processing beneficiary complaints within 15 working days.
• Responding to the center's inquiries and submitting periodic reports within 10 days.
• No subcontracting for the implementation of programs without prior written consent.

The regulations also granted the National Center broad supervisory powers, including field visits to verify compliance, and the right to suspend or cancel accreditation in the event of significant violations, while holding the training entity fully legally and financially responsible towards the trainees in the event of cancellation.

Renewal and Sustainability Mechanism

The regulations outline the accreditation renewal process, stipulating that applications must be submitted 90 days before the expiry date, and that the entity must have a clean record of no serious violations during the preceding year. This meticulous regulation underscores the Kingdom's commitment to addressing water efficiency with a high degree of professionalism, transforming conservation from a mere awareness campaign into a professional practice grounded in science and international standards.