The programme has seen Skills Training UK work with more than 200 employees between 2012 and 2014, and the savings made by Southern Water are expected to double as further improvements are rolled out.
Employees in facilities management, water inspection, the company’s call centre, and waste water treatment operatives learnt skills to problem solve and make service and productivity improvements.
The water company said that it has only spend £20,000 over the first two years of the partnership implementing the identified improvements.
Southern Water’s head of people development Pam James said: “Our whole business is changing and Skills Training UK is helping us drive that process of change.
“They understand our business and have worked with us to make the training an integral part of Southern Water’s people development strategy.
“Our teams are being equipped with knowledge and skills that can be applied in any process improvement situation.”