Professional Certificate in Social Licence to Operate

Last updated: 28 March 2024
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What is a social licence to operate?

In today's world, public trust and community acceptance are more valuable than ever before. That's where the concept of social licence to operate (SLO) comes in. The SLO concept evolved from broader concepts of corporate social responsibility. It is based on the idea that a business not only needs appropriate government or regulatory approval, such as a licence from the regulator, but also a ‘social licence’ from the local community. This involves talking and listening to the whole community, acting on feedback and using this to build trust and improve the effectiveness of future work and approaches.

The waste and resource recovery sector plays a key role in maintaining health and wellbeing of our communities, environment and economy. The sector is an essential service. It is vital that it forms a collaborative relationship with the community to build and maintain a social license to operate. Engaging with the community also provides them with keen insight and context that can inform and enhance their operation.

Operators in the waste and resource recovery industries need to develop and maintain their social licence to:

  • deliver their essential services effectively
  • build strong relationships for conflict resolution
  • co-own solutions for higher acceptance
  • gain community support for new ventures
  • enhance reputation within the community
  • adapt to changing community needs and issues
  • bolster their reputation as an essential service.

Effective community and stakeholder engagement is crucial to build and maintain a social licence to operate.

Why choose this course?

In working on social licence, your business gains greater community context, information, and perspectives. These can then help increase your effectiveness, opening up new partnerships and possibilities.

Without a social licence to operate, projects may face delays, reputational damage, and increased pressure from impacted communities. This course empowers you to navigate this dynamic landscape, build bridges with communities and stakeholders, and ensure your initiatives contribute to a more sustainable and equitable future for all.

In this course, you will:

  • Dive into learning through a mix of videos, real-world case studies, hands-on exercises, and facilitated discussions with like-minded industry peers.
  • Gain insights into emerging trends and best practices in SLO management from industry leading experts.
  • Unlock practical toolkits and resources that can be immediately implemented into your workplace.
  • Build credibility through optional certification upon passing assessments.

Who is the training for?

Companies that would benefit from this training include:

  • private and local government waste management, waste to energy and resource recovery operators with existing or proposed facilities
  • community engagement advisors and consultants at local councils that provide community engagement support for waste and resource recovery facilities for waste and resource recovery facilities
  • logistics and transport operators moving waste.

Course details

Duration

1 – 5 weeks (3 – 4 study hours per week)

Mode

Online (Need training for your team? We can customise and deliver this course for your organisation)

Next Intake

To be announced

Meet our Course Experts

Sandra Mack – Social Licence to Operate Lead at Sustainability Victoria

Sandra has more than 20 years’ experience working on sustainability policies and projects in government and private industry in Australia and overseas. While working in the renewable energy industry Sandra managed stakeholder engagement with councils, community groups and residents to create a social licence to operate for wind farm projects in regional Victoria. At Sustainability Victoria Sandra leads the Social Licence to Operate training program and works with industry stakeholders to build stakeholder support and community acceptance for essential waste and waste recovery infrastructure.

Alistair Nairn – Senior Engagement Advisor at Environment Protection Authority (EPA) Victoria

Alistair Nairn has worked at the Environment Protection Authority (EPA) for more than 15 years in a variety of roles related to community, stakeholder and strategic engagement. This work has led to a focus on environmental and restorative justice, and more recently, social licence to operate.

More SLO courses

Future intakes for the SLO course will focus on the renewable energy, water and planning sectors.

Register your interest to keep up to date.

Contact

For further information, email social.licence@sustainability.vic.gov.au