Lottery to fund London waste training scheme

A training project to help young unemployed Londoners into long term employment in the waste industry has secured Lottery funding for two-and-a-half years, it was announced this week (February 5).

The funding will pay for ten employment courses, which will give 60 unemployed candidates an opportunity to find work in the waste and recycling sector.

The Kotuku Environmental Labour Project (KELP) aims to train young unemployed people in basic skills and qualifications before matching them with work opportunities in the construction and waste management industries.

Training days for KELP have been held at sites including London-based waste management firm Powerdays Materials Recycling Facility (MRF) in North West London, resulting in placements for two candidates.

Director of non-profit environmental consultancy Kotuku, Andrew Pears MCIWM, set up the project and received Lottery funding for a pilot scheme in July 2012.

Two courses were then held with a 60% success rate for candidate completion, which Kotuku said was significantly higher than government back-to-work schemes. As a result, the consultancy has received Lottery Funding to continue the project into 2015.

Two week course

As part of the project, candidates undergo a two week course. These take place at a MRF, at live construction sites and also in the classroom.

Training subjects include how to segregate mixed loads of waste and how to describe waste using European Waste Codes (EWCs). Candidates are also trained in operative level health and safety with candidates qualifying for a Construction Skills Certificate Scheme (CSCS) green card.

After the training, candidates are then offered a 26-week fixed-term contract of employment in the waste or construction industry and are given support and advice to help with the transition to employment.

Simon Little, sales and marketing director at Powerday, said: We are very pleased to see this great initiative secure funding for the next two years. KELP not only addresses the issues that prevent young people entering the workforce but also provides an attractive proposition for employers. Powerday has a commitment to giving young people a chance and this project enables us to do just that as we expand our business.

Andrew Pears, director of Kotuku and KELP said: We are delighted to have secured the Lottery Funding to enable us to continue to help Londons young unemployed and improve the prospects of our candidates. These candidates have great ability and aptitude if encouraged and supported and this funding enables us to focus our efforts on giving them a chance to move their lives forward.

The next KELP course runs from February 11-22. More information on the project is available on the Kotuku website.