WRAP develops successful training programmes

The success of the WRAP training programme for recycling managers was marked last year with a national award. This year the organisation has announced a new advanced level training programme for recycling managers. There are three pilot courses for the newly revised Advanced Level training. 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 roll-out is planned later in the year.

WRAP says that to meet popular demand, the original training programme – 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 programme 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 there will be a focus on the individual national strategies in the devolved areas. 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 roll-out later in the year.
For more information, details about attendance criteria or an application form, contact Kelly Dawe at WRAP at kelly.dawe@wrap.org.uk or call 01295 819655.
‘Landmark’ programme

Also up and running is the comprehensive “Landmark” training initiative has been unveiled by WRAP to promote the use of proven methods and improve expertise within the organic waste management industry.

The programme aims to provide waste management companies and local authorities with the specialist training and tools required to implement best practice methods.
The 2010 Landfill Directive targets will require increasing numbers of skilled personnel to design, build, operate and actively market the products manufactured from new organic waste management facilities. To this end, WRAP’s Landmark programme includes seven different courses to cover the key areas involved in successful compost production and organic waste management. A range of different courses has been developed to cover the key areas involved in successful compost production and organic waste management.

Waste industry partners

The programme has been produced in partnership with the Composting Association (TCA), the Chartered Institution of Wastes Management (CIWM), the Environmental Services Association (ESA), and the Waste Management Industry Training & Advisory Board (WAMITAB).

The seven Landmark courses are:

For further information on the Landmark programme or for an application pack, please contact the CIWM Training Services Department at training@ciwm.co.uk or on 01604 620426. Alternatively, contact Maggie Newton at WRAP on 01295 819636 or visit www.wrap.org.uk/organics.

Communications training

Under another of the WRAP initiatives local authorities undertaking Communications Campaigns will have an opportunity to gain help and advice through a number of WRAP workshops.

The workshops, which will be held during late February early March, encompass a number of “breakout” sessions which will be a forum for local authorities to share their knowledge and experiences, discuss their projects and gain help and advise.
For further information contact: locfunding@wrap.org.uk

Recycled roads

WRAP is also running a series of Recycled Roads Workshops to demonstrate the benefits of using recycled materials in highway and street maintenance. Aimed at local authority highway engineers, their consultants, contractors and suppliers, they focus on increasing the specification, procurement and use of recycled and secondary aggregates.

Key issues to be addressed include: recycling in local authority highway works; procurement and specifying recycled content; making recycling work in the local authority environment; developing specifications to encourage recycling; and using composts in landscaping works.

Speakers include members of the WRAP Aggregates and Organics teams, representatives from BRE and Atkins Highways and Transportation, plus regional speakers.