Recycling engagement officer

You can get into this job with a higher national diploma or degree in any subject. You may have an advantage if you have studied for a qualification in:

• business and environment
• environment and sustainability
• community development
• public relations or marketing

Some employers might want you to have a qualification that is accredited by the Chartered Institution of Wastes Management (CIWM) .

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

• between 1 and 3 A levels, or equivalent, for a higher national diploma or degree

More Information

• equivalent entry requirements|https://www.gov.uk/what-different-qualification-levels-mean/list-of-qualification-levels
• student finance for fees and living costs|https://www.gov.uk/student-finance
• university courses and entry requirements|https://www.ucas.com/

You could do a college course to help you learn some of the skills and knowledge you need to become a recycling engagement officer. For example a certificate or diploma in:

• sustainable resource management
• business management
• marketing
• public relations

Entry requirements

Entry requirements for these courses vary.

You could begin by doing an apprenticeship like:

• Corporate Responsibility and Sustainability Practitioner Level 4 Higher Apprenticeship
• Environmental Practitioner Level 6 Degree Apprenticeship

These take a minimum of 3 years to complete.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

• 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) and A levels, or equivalent, for a higher or degree apprenticeship

More Information

• equivalent entry requirements|https://www.gov.uk/what-different-qualification-levels-mean/list-of-qualification-levels
• apprenticeship levels|https://www.apprenticeships.gov.uk/apprentices/about-apprenticeships#UnderstandingApprenticeshiplevelsandqualifications

You could volunteer at a recycling centre to get practical experience of working in waste management.

You could also take part in community or environmental based schemes to show your interest in local affairs.

You could apply directly to work as a recycling engagement officer.

You'll be expected to have an understanding of the issues around recycling, as well as experience of bringing different groups together to work on projects.

More information

You can find out more about careers and training in recycling from the Chartered Institution of Wastes Management (CIWM).

As a recycling engagement officer, you could:

• improve take-up of local recycling and collection services
• deal with contracts, budgets and funding applications for schemes
• organise and promote local sustainability projects and events
• give advice on waste management and recycling issues
• recruit and train community volunteers

We've identified this as a green job

As a recycling engagement officer, you'll explain the benefits of recycling to the public. This can have a positive impact on the environment.

Find out more about green careers

You could work in an office or at a waste recycling site.

Your working environment may be outdoors some of the time.

You may need to wear safety clothing and use safety equipment.