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International Business

WASTE MANAGEMENT

Countries invariably set out the framework for the management of wastes, which includes a wide range of measures applicable to municipal and hazardous wastes. Meeting these targets will require considerable investment in new hardware, technologies, skills and competence. All those who handle, transport and dispose of waste must be suitably qualified and competent to ensure wastes are safely managed and with minimal risk to the environment.

KEY ASPECTS OF THE UK COMPETENCE SCHEME

The UK Government pioneered the development of technical competence as part of waste licensing regulations in 1994. The Government established WAMITAB to achieve consistent standards across the entire waste management industry. One of WAMITAB’s early tasks was to develop a scheme for demonstrating competence, this comprised the preparation of operational (occupational) standards for managers of waste management facilities. The standards set out the technical competence requirements for managers by facility type, for example landfill sites, treatment operations, transfer stations, civic amenity sites accepting householder wastes and small incineration plants. WAMITAB then had the responsibility of developing the relevant vocational qualifications.

The occupational standards define “good practice” and provided the means of ensuring that people have the ability (competence) to do what is required. The standards and resulting qualifications cover the following activities associated with all types of waste:

  • the reception, movement, sorting and storage of wastes;
  • Safety and productive working conditions on sites dealing with wastes;
  • Control site operations, maintenance and other engineering operations;
  • Protection of the environment on waste management sites.

Although primarily focussed on supervisors and managers other qualifications have been developed to cover other occupational activities including waste (refuse) collection, street cleansing, landfill and treatment (treatment is a term used to cover waste transfer, treatment and civic amenity activities). The advantage of all these qualifications is that they are delivered in the workplace and can be used as part of a programme of training and development to improve waste management and recycling services.

BENEFITS FOR WASTE MANAGEMENT

The UK’s occupational standards can be tailored to meet local circumstances in terms of legislation (for example, environmental and safety), ability to cope with technology and training provision. Assessing local practices against an occupational standard provides a clear picture of where skills or knowledge are lacking, this information can then be used to develop appropriate training programmes to fill the gaps in understanding.

HOW TO GET STARTED - POTENTIAL STAKEHOLDERS AND PARTNERSHIPS

WAMITAB is keen to identify interested parties for further discussions:

  • Who are the potential participants for training and development of technicalcompetence? All those who handle wastes, from refuse collection to those who manage hazardous wastes within the industry.
  • Who needs to implement training programmes? Government as well as the waste management industry.
  • Who needs to certify that the technical competence is appropriate ? Independent training and certification bodies responsible for the development of technical/occupational qualifications for the waste management industry.

WAMITAB has the necessary experience and expertise to advise how best to implement these programmes, not only in the UK but also for government’s of other countries around the world.

WAMITAB is keen to start a dialogue with those stakeholders who are responsible for the implementation of the measures needed to manage wastes in a sustainable and environmentally conscious way.

The potential stakeholders are:

  • Government representatives who set the general framework for the technical competence program, for each type of waste.
  • Government representatives at Estate and municipal level to adapt the framework set by the federal government to suit their individual circumstances and needs.
  • Educational bodies e.g. universities, colleges or the Ministry of Education for the development of the technical competence standards.
  • Waste Management companies to set up their training and development programmes depending on their activities e.g. landfill, collection of refuse, sorting, transfer or final disposal; as well as the type of materials handled
  • Municipalities and local authorities who provide their own kerbside, urban solid waste collection services at domestic and commercial level.
  • Training providers who are interested in becoming assessors to deliver the technical competence required in the workplace.
  • Waste producers and manufacturers who need to look at how they minimise and manage wastes within their production processes.

WAMITAB would be pleased to provide further information for parties interested in building business links. Contact details below.

WAMITAB was established in 1989 with a remit to determine and advise on policy and standards of education, qualifications and training for all employees in the UK’s Waste Management Industry. WAMITAB is an independent awarding body for workplace qualifications, the Certificate of Technical Competence (COTC) and works with the UK waste management industry on education and training issues.

Dr L W Strong, Director General,

Peterbridge House, 3 The Lakes, Northampton, United Kingdom

T: +44 (0) 1604 231 950 F: +44 (0) 1604 232 457 E: lawrence.strong@wamitab.org.uk