Learning Light and Sheffield business Active Recycling lead the way with

e-learning that supports the skills, knowledge and competency of workers engaged in the disassembly of Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment.

e-Learning that is accredited by the Chartered Institution of Wastes Management and supports the learning and development of operatives working to achieve NVQ Level 1 and Level 2 Recycling Operations (WEEE), has been piloted in the disassembly workshops at HMP Wealstun and HMP Everthorpe.

The e-learning has proved to be the catalyst for learners to achieving understanding of the environmental issues created by irresponsible disposal of waste electrical and electronic equipment and the pressing need to bring understanding into the workplace of the principles of the WEEE Directive that requires the reuse, recovery and recycling of WEEE.

To underpin the valuable WEEE disassembly work being done in the prison workshops and in many social enterprise and commercial workplaces Learning Light with the awarding body WAMITAB (Waste Management Advisory Training Board) are working to create an additional pathway in the Recycling Operations NVQ Level 1 and Level 2 qualifications in the context of WEEE activities, using existing national operational standard units endorsed by the Energy and Utility Sector Skills Council.

Employers in the Waste Management and Environmental industry have welcomed this development that recognises the work of operatives engaged in WEEE activities and also the introduction of e-learning modules that provide a unique approach to learning in this industry.

Many of the offenders working in the disassembly workshops at the prisons have experienced e-learning as a new way of learning new skills for the first time. The positive feedback from them has indicated that this way of learning is an excellent way of reaching out to learners, whose past experience of learning has not always been good.

And the opportunity of working towards a recognised NVQ qualification is proving a major opportunity for them to look forward to securing employment in the waste management and environmental industries on release.

If you want to know more about this project and how e-learning can support employee development in your company please contact Gillian Broadhead,

Head of Networking Development, Learning Light Limited 0114 201 8925.