Covenant Success for Kangan Batman TAFE
3 October 2008
Kangan Batman TAFE CEO Ray Griffiths receives the covenant completion certificate from Terry A'Hearn, director of sustainability, EPA Victoria
A ground-breaking three-year sustainability covenant between Kangan Batman TAFE and EPA Victoria successfully concluded last week at a ceremony held at the Institute's award-winning Automotive Centre of Excellence.
To mark the successful end of the covenant, Terry A'Hearn, director of sustainability at EPA Victoria, presented Kangan Batman TAFE with a completion certificate. He said the agreement - the first established in Victoria for a Vocational Education and Training organisation - proved to be a learning curve for both the Institute and EPA Victoria.
"Because it was the first of its kind, when we entered into the agreement, we didn't have a solid understanding of each other's organisations and what was needed to be done to achieve the desired outcomes of the covenant," he said.
"We also didn't have a great deal of experience in dealing with the VET sector, however, after a long and successful three-year relationship, we've seen Kangan Batman TAFE achieve some great environmental outcomes.
"The vital links developed between our two organisations are also very highly valued. I can't stress this enough, and I hope to continue this friendship well into the future".
Kangan Batman TAFE environmental coordinator James Drougas said the initial stages of the covenant provided the opportunity to develop a sustainable framework of operations.
"We knew where we needed to head - what our desired outcomes were - but had to work out how to get there," he said.
"Once the framework for the covenant was established, and through the guidance of a steering committee, hard work of the Environmental Coordinator, and enthusiastic participation of all staff members involved, clear goals and targets were identified, and achieved with great success."
Some of the key achievements over the life of the covenant include:
- CO2-eqv. emissions were reduced 7.85 percent, from 12,791 tonnes in 2005 to 11,860 tonnes in 2007
- Waste to landfill decreased by 35.16 percent through better recycling facilities and services
- 62 staff attended environmental awareness sessions
- Development of ecological footprint calculator and training module
- The Automotive Centre for Excellence achieved a 5-star rating through environmentally sustainable design
- A state-of-the-art diesel emission testing facility was installed, equipping apprentices to contribute to a cleaner transport industry
"On behalf of our institute security and environment department, a small gift was also presented to the EPA as a 'thankyou' for the support and guidance we've received over the past three years," James said.
The final report is available by request via email: jdrougas@kangan.edu.au
