The level 4 HLA focuses on Waste Treatment Technologies.

The prime audience for this course is individuals working in the waste management industry, who may or may not be graduates, but nevertheless wish to enhance their knowledge and understanding of sustainable waste management and advanced technologies.

The course consists of a taught section, and then a work or theory based project.

The taught section of the course has been split into 5 units, each covering a different aspect of waste:

• Unit 1 - Historical, Social and Legal Context for Sustainable Waste Management
Provides all students with the waste management background knowledge and context, decision making tools and legal requirements involved in the development and operation of an advanced waste management facility that they will require in order to successfully complete the subsequent technology based units. 

• Unit 2 - Physical Waste Management Technologies
Provides all students with essential knowledge of physical waste management technologies and to introduce the terms associated with these.  The unit covers physical resizing and separation operation technologies as well as original applications and drivers and the technology of the different operations. The science of autoclaving and plant examples are reviewed, and a lecture on further emerging physical processes is provided, though outside the core body of work for the unit.

• Unit 3 - Biological Waste Treatment Technologies
Provides all students with essential knowledge of biological and chemical processes and introduces the terms associated with these.  The Unit then builds on this knowledge and introduces the different technologies in this sector.  For example, the different configurations of the technology, the range of outputs, their possible markets, and process risks and benefits.

• Unit 4 - Advanced Thermal Waste Treatment Technologies
Provides all students with essential knowledge of thermal processes and introduces the terms associated with these.  The Unit introduces the technologies in this sector, such as mass burn incineration, gasification and pyrolysis.  It goes on to cover the different configurations of the technologies, emissions, the range of outputs, their possible markets, and process risks and benefits.

• Unit 5 - Intergrated Treatment Technologies for Waste Management
Provides all students with information on the legal requirements involved in the development and operation of an advanced waste management facility.  It provides an overview of the UK planning and licensing/permitting systems and introduces the environmental reporting requirements for the operation of waste management facilities.

The course is intended to be delivered in a number of formats, including 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.

Please click here for a Course Outline Booklet detailing the Learning Outcomes associated with each module. The course outline also detailes the National Occupational Standards relevent to this course.