A REGIONAL training workshop has focused on broadening the capacity of Pacific countries to deal with the management of solid and hazardous waste.
The dean of the Fiji National University's College of Medicine, Nursing and Health Science, Professor Ian Rouse, said the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP) was the implementing agency for the initiative.
The first component is to support the development and delivery of a vocational training program in waste management through regional institutions. The second will help reduce the negative impact of waste oil on the Pacific environment.
"SPREP, the region's inter-governmental environment organisation, has worked with Griffith University to design and develop the training program and its training manuals," Prof Rouse said.
"SPREP has also developed a relationship with Fiji National University as the host institution for the delivery of the training program."
He said the program would be delivered annually and for the first two years the FNU would be supported by Griffith University with the aim of increasing the capacity of the university in waste management.
"FNU would then continue to offer and deliver the training program independently in later years," he said.
The program is designed to develop participants as trainers so that they can deliver programs in solid waste management in their home countries following their return.
Participants at the workshop learnt about policy and strategic approaches to solid waste management, financial sustainability, sustainable development of waste management treatment and operating centres.