Sub-professional training in the field of the environment

Summary The need for trained technical personnel to monitor environmental systems is emphasised and detailed. Coincident with this need is a virtual absence of appropriate training schemes. The philosophy behind and development of such a course in Farnborough College of Technology is described. This course is a multidisciplinary Higher Diploma in Environmental Analysis and Monitoring aimed specifically at training technicians to deal with pollution and its effects. The paper details course aims and objectives and outlines the programme structure. As the staff at Farnborough have initiated such a training programme, we propose to act as a resource exchange centre in this sphere. Thus our experience could aid in the curriculum development of other schemes. Gareth Rees is Lecturer in Microbiology at Farnborough College of Technology. He has a first degree in Marine Zoology and an M.Sc. in Biodeterioration of Materials. He has recently completed Ph.D. studies into ecological aspects of marine fungi. At Farnborough he is leader of the Environmental Research Group, involved in several applied environmental microbiological projects.