On Air, Online Learning at Work Week 2020 (18-24 May)

This week is On Air, Online Learning at Work Week 2020 (18 – 24 May). The initiative comes from Campaign for Learning, a charity that champions lifelong learning at a national level. This week was originally set to be Learning at Work Week, but the standard event has been postponed until 5 October due to the implications of the COVID-19 pandemic meaning that many employees are currently furloughed or working from home.

Despite that, Campaign for Learning, a registered charity, decided to divert to an alternative ‘On Air, Online’ event this week as there is so much learning that can still take place virtually. Many qualifications and training are done by distance and online learning these days anyway, so it’s the perfect time to celebrate and promote that.

Campaign for Learning states that learning: ‘… may involve the development or deepening of skills, knowledge, understanding, awareness, values, ideas and feelings, or an increase in the capacity to reflect. Effective learning leads to change, development and the desire to learn more.’

TJ are strong supporters of workplace learning. All TJ employees have the chance to get involved in continuing professional development (CPD) and each year a four-day company-wide training event is held to ensure staff training levels are up-to-date. This not only gives staff the feeling that they are being considered and valued, but also ensures safety in the workplace.

Just before the lockdown period commenced six TJ employees who are registered first-aiders received refresher training, which they are required to undertake every three years. This ensures that they are up to date with any relevant statutory or regulatory changes.

The training was delivered at TJ’s HQ in Fareham by Creating Confidence Ltd, a training provider based in Cosham, Portsmouth. The following topics were covered:

• The role and Responsibility of an Emergency First Aider
• Assessing an incident
• Managing an unresponsive casualty who is breathing normally
• Managing an unresponsive casualty who is not breathing normally
• Recognise and assist a casualty who is choking
• Managing a casualty who is wounded and bleeding
• Managing a casualty who is in shock
• Managing a casualty with a minor injury

By training staff as first aiders TJ are ensuring compliance with the Health and Safety at Work Act etc. 1974 and the Health and Safety (First-Aid) Regulations 1981.

TJ are also currently putting three members of staff through WAMITAB training. WAMITAB qualifies and certificates those working in the areas of waste management and recycling, cleaning and street cleansing, facilities management and parking.

The employees studying for their WAMITAB qualification are responsible for the running of TJ’s Portsmouth and Southampton-based Materials Recovery Facilities (MRF). Adam Lewis is foreman of Dibles Wharf MRF in Southampton, Anthony Towle is foreman of Quartermain MRF in Portsmouth and Roger Faithfull is foreman of Tipner MRF in Portsmouth.

They are all studying for their Level 4 High Risk Operator Competence for Managing Transfer of Hazardous Waste and
Level 4 Low Risk Operator Competence for Non-Hazardous Waste Transfer and Storage.

They are learning via tutor-led distance learning, workbooks and coursework, which is ideal as this learning can all be done online and via video meetings and has been able to continue during the lockdown period.

Anthony Towle said:

“It was challenging, yet highly rewarding and enabled me to further my career at TJ Waste & Recycling. I now feel more confident around the legislation of what we do and the best practice guidance when it comes to waste transfer and storage.”

Many other staff members have undertaken and completed training in the past year at TJ. One of the main events is TJ’s four-day annual training event which is attended by the entire workforce. In recent years, the format has been rethought and reformatted to improve its effectiveness.

As a result, TJ has been shortlisted for the IIRSM Risk Initiative of the Year Award 2020 for successfully implementing this revised event, which has significantly improved health and safety practices throughout the organisation. The event is organised by TJ’s Health & Safety Compliance Supervisor, Jack MacFarlane, who has also been shortlisted for an award – SHE’s Rising Star of the Year Award, part of the Safety & Health Excellence Awards 2020.

Find out more about TJ and the services we offer and read more about how we invest in learning for our staff…