Certificate In Compost Facility Operation (Online)

The programme was developed in association with Cré (The Composting Association of Ireland) and FÁS and is accredited as a “Certificate in Compost Facility Operation” (Special Purpose Award Certificate, Level 6, 10 Credits). It is equivalent to a 10 Credit Module of a Higher Certificate in Science. Normally a Higher Certificate is taken over two years full-time in a third level institute and involves achieving a total of 120 Credits.

Composting Operator Training Programme Content

– Definitions and Biology of Composting
– Composting Process
– Composting Technologies
– Process Control
– Potential Environmental Impacts & Environmental Management
– Compliance with Regulatory Framework
– Health and Safety
– Facility Maintenance
– Compost Uses and Marketing
– Community Relations

Delivery

The programme is delivered over 6 days, comprising three blocks of 2 days over a period of two months. The programme comprises lectures and site visits to a large green waste composting facility (windrow technology), a small green waste composting facility and food waste composting facility (In- vessel/Animal By- Product Facility). The students are required to complete reports of site visits and other assignments and to undertake an exam at the end of the programme. The programme is delivered off-campus at locations close to Dublin.