Hazardous Waste Inspector Training: Multimedia Information Transfer

Abstract

A major challenge facing hazardous waste management efforts is building a competent inspector workforce. Both federal and state governments acknowledge problems of inexperienced staff, lack of adequate training and insufficient funding and staff support for training. This article describes a unique collaboration between a government agency and academia to develop an effective entry-level training program. The agency provided the setting and content in terms of identifying training needs and procuring technical materials. The university offered innovative educational approaches and technology transfer systems. The guidelines for the design of the training materials focused on coherence, participation, and flexibility. The result was a versatile training program with a set of materials that encourage participant involvement and input. The guidelines have broad application to other efforts at information transfer.