A TILBURY recycling manager has become one of the first people in the country to gain a newly-launched vocational qualification.

Steve Greenwood, site manager at Hadfield Wood Recycler’s Tilbury site, in Tilbury Docks, has achieved the Level 4 Vocationally Related Qualification (VRQ) Certificate in Operative Competency from SERAC UK.

It took Mr Greenwood three months to complete the course.

He said: “I’m over the moon. It was hard work and took a lot of dedication, especially doing the coursework.

“It was definitely worth it though. I’m now fully qualified to manage a waste facility.”

Mr Greenwood was one of two people who completed the course and he received his certification during an awards presentation arranged by the Waste Management Industry Training and Advisory Board.

He added: “I feel relieved. I’m very proud of what I’ve achieved and I hope to apply the knowledge I’ve learnt into my everyday work.”