Course planning

The training materials in this toolkit are flexible and can be used in many different ways. You can deliver them as stand-alone lessons, combine them into a full training course, or adapt them to fit a specific topic or learning level. This makes the toolkit suitable for schools, technical colleges, community groups, and informal training sessions.

The content is organised into themed units, each with a range of lessons. Some lessons focus more on theory, others are practical or hands-on. You can run all the lessons in one continuous course, or choose a few key topics to suit your audience, your time, and your available equipment.

Each unit includes:

• An estimated duration (how long the lesson takes)
• The recommended level (who it’s suitable for, and what learners should already know)
• A list of tools or materials needed (if any), along with an estimated budget and suggestions for where to source them

Before you start planning your lessons, think about:

• How much time do you have? Will this be a short workshop, a week-long course, or a longer programme over several months?
• Will your training run full-time (every day) or part-time (a few days a week)?
• What do your students already know? Are they complete beginners or do they have experience with the topic?
• What is your main goal? Do you want to raise awareness, build practical recycling skills, or support small businesses and social enterprises?
• What infrastructure and equipment do you already have – and what can you realistically access or borrow?

Taking the time to plan your lessons carefully will help make the training more engaging, relevant, and useful for your learners.