New Technologies
New Technologies Education & Training Programme
The Education and Training Programme aims to help move the UK away from its heavy reliance on landfill and incineration, towards a culture of resource management and efficiency. An important part of the success of this strategy will be the collective actions of individuals and organisations that must identify and implement waste management solutions. This programme will help promote the technological and cultural transition required to ensure that the UK has an adequate knowledge and skills base that will deliver the sustainable management of wastes through these means.
The education and training programme will include three components:
- An M level module in Advanced Waste Management
Technologies
(325
KB) - Level 3 VRQ in the Principles and Practices
of Sustainable Wastes Management (277
KB)
- Level 4 HLA in Waste Treatment Technologies (274
KB)
The Masters module will be available free of charge to educational establishments wishing to incorporate it into their existing postgraduate courses (MSc, MEng, MBA), though the materials may also be incorporated into appropriate honours degree programmes. The module consists of six units. The first introductory unit provides students with the waste management background knowledge and context that they will require in order to complete the subsequent technology based units.
The four technology units look in turn at physical processes, biological processes, thermal processes and intergrated waste management systems. Each unit looks at the science behind the processes and technologies before examining the configurations being offered by providers, and reviewing the relative risks and benefits of each. The final unit looks at decision-making in this context. Topics in this section include waste strategies, planning, social implications and decision-making tools such as life cycle assessment and multi-criteria analysis.
As well as the lecture materials, the course pack will include comprehensive trainers notes, technology videos, additional reading materials, web-based references and sample questions and tests. It is expected that the module will also include visits to some of the facilities in the New Technologies Demonstrator programme.
The level 4 HLA on Waste Treatment Technologies will cover similar ground to the Masters module, but is aimed at providing professionals within the waste industry with a detailed understanding of the practical aspects of advanced waste treatment processes. The course follows a similar structure, with an introductory unit followed by four technology sections (Physical Waste Management technologies, Biological waste Treatment Technologies, Advanced Thermal Waste Treatment Technologies and Intergrated Treatment Technologies for Waste Management).
The course is intended to be delivered in a number of formats, block release, day-release and distance learning. The day-release structure is likely to run over seven weekly or fortnightly sessions, and is also interspersed with site visits and course exercises. The final session includes an exam, to confirm that the student has reached the required level of understanding. The student is also expected to complete a workplace-based assignment over a period of three months, which itself will culminate in a project report. The course will be available through approved WAMITAB centres.
The HLA is only awarded on successful completion of both parts of the course. However, with numerous professionals already well briefed in the ‘theory’, through experience and the training offered through the Supporter Programme, investigations are also being made into the possibility of gaining the HLA by sitting the exam and completing the assignment, without attending the full taught course programme.
The level 3 VRQ has a slightly different focus, on Principles and Practices of Sustainable Wastes Management. It is aimed at process engineers and technicians, together with other professionals, who are looking to transfer into the waste industry. Four introductory lectures are given, covering principles of sustainability, waste generation, policy and legislation, and roles and responsibilities within waste management. Nine lectures follow on the technical aspects of waste management, and these are followed by a final lecture on health and safety. Again, the courses will be delivered through approved WAMITAB centres and it is anticipated that the course materials will be delivered using a block or day-release format, with site visits included and a final exam. The VRQ is completed by a workplace assignment.
The Chartered Institution of Wastes Management (CIWM) is responsible for distributing the material and maintaining the courses.
For further information, including where the courses are being delivered please:
Page last modified:
20 June 2007
Page published: 5 February 2003