New Perspectives in Science Education

The growth rates of waste management industry have been growing significantly over the last years. The sector has a competitive edge globally and a great potential in contributing towards the goals for growth and jobs in European Union (EU). Waste management sector is rapidly changing and continues to develop, mainly due to the initiatives and policies adopted and the new technologies and techniques introduced, thus raising a huge need in highly qualified engineers, operational managers and processing technicians all over Europe and the world. The Solid Waste Facilities Managers – Qualifications Framework (SWFM-QF) project aims at developing a European qualification and training framework to address the needs of Facilities Managers in the waste management industry. The project is running within 8 EU countries. In each participating country a survey was carried out among waste management companies, associations, authorities and training organizations to obtain first-hand data on the work requirements and qualifications as well as the Vocational Education and Training (VET) needs and offers for solid waste management managers. Based on the results of the survey and direct contacts with the staff of operating solid waste facilities in the 8 EU countries, a Qualifications Framework (HQF) for the occupation of the Solid Waste Manager was developed. An Info-Training Toolkit, that has the format of a webpage and incorporates proposals for the curriculum of a vocational training course plus other informational material addressed to a Solid Waste Facilities’ Manager based on the identified required qualifications, has been developed too.