Back to school

The UK waste sector needs to work together to promote the vast array of opportunities available to the next generation if it is to secure its future success.

The waste industry has come a long way in the last decade, but if this progression is to continue, the sector as a whole needs to look towards future generations in order to carry forward this momentum. Collectively, we’ve moved away from being seen as a dirty and unskilled industry, but there is still more that needs to be done if we are to inspire and engage young people to want a career in waste.

There are a variety of job opportunities within our sector – business management, lab technicians and everything in between – to entice a huge pool of talent and we need to do more to promote them.

Requirements

The skill requirements in our sector are changing. As we move away from the traditional landfill approach, we are now seeking more technically-skilled, operational staff, as well as those who are business focused. With this in mind, there is real potential for the waste sector to become a highly skilled workforce and a career-based industry.

If this is to be the case though, there must first be further education on the real potential that lies within waste management. If the environmental and economic benefits of maximising the opportunities in our industry are communicated more effectively, the next generation will be more likely to take an interest in pursuing a waste-centric career. So, as an industry, we need to work closely with schools and universities to push this message and help young people understand the importance of better waste management in regards to securing a more sustainable, environmentally sound future for all.

Potential

The government too needs to give the waste sector its full backing and shine a light on its potential in an economic sense. Better education across the UK is key to securing the next decade as one of sustained growth.

In order for us to secure a prosperous future for the industry and ensure we have a healthy number of fresh new minds entering the sector, we need to invest now in publicising our successes. Reinforcing waste’s credentials and making clear its true potential is key; for the environment, for the economy and for the next generation as a whole.