National Training Organisations: their contribution to waste minimisation in the UK

National Training Organisations (NTOs) were introduced in 1998 as a method of increasing competitiveness by raising standards in education and training. By offering training at a variety of NVQ classifications targeting all involved in the business operation, they are ideally placed to deliver the Government's objectives of lifelong learning, set out in the Green Paper, 'The Learning Age'. However, business growth needs to occur in line with increasing environmental legislation, in response to the UK's commitment to the concept of sustainable development. As waste minimisation is a key component of sustainable development, acknowledged in the Waste Strategy 2000, it is important that NTOs raise the awareness of this issue and the potential savings that are available to their network of organisations. As a result of a confidential questionnaire sent to 65 NTOs, it is clear that most do not yet recognise the importance of developing waste minimisation practice within their sectors. It seems unlikely that NTOs can succeed in increasing sustainable competitiveness if they do not seek to introduce practices that reflect present environmental policy. NTOs need to ensure that senior management understand that environmental issues are not opposed to commercial success, but rather a tool which can drive competitiveness by limiting waste, conserving resources and lowering costs.