The course, which was piloted in the autumn last year, has been fully revised following a content review incorporating comments from delegates who attended the pilot programme. The courses overall are costing several hundred thousand pounds. WRAP acepts that “this is a big investment to achieve a big return.”
Chris Davey of WRAP, who has responsibility for training, said: “The cost equivalent of the courses is beyond the budget of many local authorities. To make the changes in the collection levels that WRAP needs we have to improve collection. So, the courses will be focusing on the collection side, monitoring, data management and showing how you can get more out of what you already have got. We are not saying there is a right or wrong way to collect material, councils can have whatever scheme is appropriate for their area.”
Although the course is free, problems with delegates not turning up has led to the imposition of a 300 cancellation charge for those who do not attend. The courses, which include a three night hotel stay, are aimed at people from local authorities, the community and private sectors who manage or develop and promote collections of recyclable or compostable materials. Following the residential session delegates will be expected to complete two written assignments.
A WRAP spokeswoman said: “The content focuses on equipping delegates with the knowledge, skills and tools to develop cost-effective systems with high participation and recovery rates for the collection and sorting of materials for recycling and composting that meet end market requirements.”
The first ten courses, which last for three full days, are planned to run during February and March 2003 with 16 delegates at each one. The courses will be held in various locations in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.
Excited
Cllr Kay Twitchen, chair of the Local Government Association's Waste Executive, said: “We are very excited about the launch of this training programme. Recycling managers play a crucial role in improving recycling rates locally and they need a broad set of skills to establish efficient collection systems. This training programme will be vital to the national effort to hit Government recycling targets.”
Skills need
Places on the courses are still available although initially priority will be given to applicants who applied to attend the pilot training courses last year. For some local authorities the courses may come at a tricky time as recycling officers in some areas are actively involved in launching new recycling schemes before the end of the financial year.
Applications to attend a course should be made in the first instance to janine.dalton@ciwm.co.uk
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