CIWM and Defra have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) that will provide industry professionals with a package of education and training on advanced waste treatment technologies, such as pyrolysis, gasification, MBT and anaerobic digestion.
Part of Defra’s New Technologies Work Stream, the Advanced Waste Management Technologies Education and Training Programme will deliver three levels of training:
• a 30 credit Masters module in advanced waste management technologies for individuals wanting to undertake a postgraduate course to gain an in-depth knowledge and understanding;
• a Level 4 Higher Level Award (HLA) in Waste Treatment Technologies, which is based on a short training course and assessment and is suitable for individuals working at management level who wish to enhance their knowledge and understanding; and
• a Level 3 Vocationally Related Qualification (VRQ) in the Principles and Practices of Sustainable Wastes Management, which is based on a short training course and assessment, and is suitable for individuals working in the process industry (or allied industries), who are seeking to transfer into the wastes management industry, and waste managers in general seeking to improve their knowledge and skills.
The CIWM has already formally accredited the teaching and learning materials in theses courses and will be seeking similar endorsement or accreditation for the courses by other bodies.
“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,” says CIWM Chief Executive Steve Lee.
“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.”
Dave Brooks, Defra’s Head of New Technologies, says: “Very early on, we identified a significant knowledge gap about some of the latest alternative waste treatment technologies. We have now filled that gap at every level, from technical information and training for local authorities through to university and post graduate level learning and research.”
Moving forward, the CIWM’s key functions will be to distribute, review and update the course materials and promote the courses to the waste management sector, educational establishments and approved training delivery bodies. Funded by a licence fee, periodic course updates will be undertaken with input from the New Technologies Technical Advisory Committee. Feedback on the content, delivery and impact of the courses will also be taken into account to ensure that the learning materials meet the needs of the target audiences.
There are already two approved WAMITAB centres able to deliver the new courses. IWM Business Services is working with WAMCAL to deliver the HLA and VRQ training, and SERAC is also offering the VRQ package. Anyone interested in running or attending these new qualification courses can contact the CIWM Education and Training Department at e-mail: education@ciwm.co.uk or tel: 01604 620426.
ENDS
Photo of MOU signing available to download below. Right click on the photo to save to your desktop
Left to right: Defra Waste Implementation Programme director John Burns, CIWM Executive Committee Chairman Peter Ager and CIWM President Jeff Cooper signing the Memorandum of Understanding
Notes to Editors:
1. The Chartered Institution of Wastes Management (CIWM) is the leading professional body for the waste management sector representing over 7000 individuals in the UK and overseas. Established in 1898, CIWM is a non profit-making organisation, dedicated to the promotion of professional competence amongst waste managers. CIWM seeks to raise standards for those working in and with the sector by producing best practice guidance, developing educational and training initiatives, and providing information on key waste-related issues. Comprehensive information about CIWM can be found at www.ciwm.co.uk
Contacts:
Pat Jennings Claire Poole
Communications Office Education & Training Manager
Tel: 01604 620426 Tel: 01604 620426
Mob: 07881 878568 E-mail: claire.poole@ciwm.co.uk
E-mail: pat.jennings@ciwm.co.uk
