The Waste & Resources Action Programme has announced three pilot courses for its newly revised Advanced Level training program for recycling managers. The course aims to enhance the skills base of the UK’s recycling managers, while encouraging good practice, improving the effectiveness of collection schemes and addressing end market demands. A full national rollout is planned later in the year.
The original training program - developed to support recycling managers in improving existing recycling schemes and introducing new collection initiatives - has been fully updated and will run in several locations during 2005.
The Advanced Level training program is a residential course aimed at staff from local authorities, the community/not-for-profit and private sectors who manage or develop and promote collections of recyclable or compostable materials.
The course comprises three core ‘compulsory’ modules and a choice of two optional modules. It focuses on equipping delegates with the knowledge, skills and tools needed to make recommendations and lead improvements to the performance, efficiency and cost-effectiveness of municipal waste collection and materials sorting systems that meet end market requirements.
The new course builds on WRAP’s Standard Level training course, which won a National Training Award in 2004. The Advanced Level course will be equivalent to Masters level and all potential delegates must complete an application form and meet the course acceptance criteria before being offered a place. There will be no charge for officers from local authorities, staff from not-for-profit/community schemes or managers from private waste management companies who are managing, planning or promoting recycling schemes.
All courses are open to delegates from anywhere in the UK and in the devolved areas; there will be a focus on the individual national strategies. The pilot courses in Cambridge, North Wales and Darlington, will run from February to April 2005 and the aim is to gain accreditation before the national rollout later in the year.