CIWM and Defra offer waste management qualifications

CIWM and Defra have teamed up to create the Advanced Waste Management Technologies and Education and Training Programme, to provide those working in the industry with the opportunity to obtain qualifications to demonstrate their knowledge and develop new skills.   Through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), both parties have committed to providing funding and resources for the project, which it is hoped will help to ensure adequate knowledge exists to ease the cultural and technological changes necessary as Britain moves away from incineration as a means of waste disposal, and towards more sustainable means of waste management.

Defra are primarily providing funding and resources for the set-up and running of the new courses and CIWM are taking more responsibility for organising the accreditation and promotion of the courses, as well as gathering an advisory committee who will give feedback about the courses at least once a year. Signed on 30 March, the MoU is planned to last for five years, after which a thorough review of the success and uptake of the programmes will be carried out.

The new programmes consist of: a Vocationally Related Qualification (VQA) in the Principles and Practices of Sustainable Wastes Management, aimed at those working in the waste or related industries who need a solid general understanding of the principles behind waste management; a Higher Level Award (HLA) in Waste Treatment Technologies, designed for individuals working in the industry at management level; and a Masters level module in Advanced Waste Treatment Technologies, for graduates or experienced non-graduates wanting to gain in-depth knowledge and understanding of sustainable wastes management and advanced technologies. The courses will be delivered by centres accredited by the Waste Management Industry Training and Advisory Board (WAMITAB), or by other organisations licensed by CIWM that have accredited the course.

So far the programmes are attracting a lot of attention, as CIWM Chief Executive, Steve Lee explains: "This is a very exciting development for the waste industry as it faces up to the challenge of harnessing new and advanced waste treatment technologies...We have already had requests from 44 universities for the Masters level materials, and we are supporting the first VRQ and HLA courses being run."