Raising Standards
Posted on 20th May 2009
A new scheme to demonstrate technical competence has been approved. CIWM's education and training manager, Claire Poole, explains. Read full article
**New** Facilities Management NVQ3
Posted on 17th June 2009
We are proud to announce the development of a new qualification for the Facilities Management Sector. For more information, please call Sue Wright on 01604 231950.
The Continuing Competence Journey - Successful Candidates
Posted on 16th November 2009
WAMITAB's Director General, Dr Lawrence Strong, explains the journey to continuing competence, along with those, who have first hand experience of the new process. Read full article.
Continuing Competence Deadline Approaches
Posted on 30th March 2010
• Do you hold a CoTC awarded before 22 December 2008? or
• Have you been assessed by the Environment Agency for a non-CoTC activity? or
• Are you currently ‘Deemed’ Competent?
If the answer is Yes to any of these then ‘Continuing Competence’ applies to you, which means you have to pass a test before 28 February 2011 (extended to February 29th 2012 if you apply to WAMITAB following the instructions on the Continuing Competence page). However, do not leave the test to the last minute as sufficient bookings will not be available for everyone and you run the risk of not being compliant. For further information go to the Continuing Competence page.
Operator Competence Environment Agency Training Workshop 2010
Posted on 13th April 2010
To access the Operator Competence presentation, please click here . NB it is quite large and may take a minute or so to appear.
Continuing Competence presentation at the Futuresource Exhibition 2010
Posted on 30th June 2010
Please click here for Powerpoint presentation re Continuing Competence
Operator Competence presentation at the Futuresource Exhibition 2010
Posted on 30th June 2010
Please click here for Powerpoint presentation re Operator Competence
LARAC Training Officer Achieves Continuing Competence Milestone
Posted on 7th January 2011
Melvyn Lilley, LARAC’s Training Officer, recently achieved the 1,000th Continuing Competence certificate awarded by WAMITAB. “Continuing Competence” is that element of the joint CIWM/WAMITAB Operator Competence scheme which allows people to demonstrate they have maintained their initial level of competence. Continuing Competence was introduced in March 2009 in England and Wales and applies to all COTC holders who received their CoTC before 22 December 2008; those who were ‘deemed’ competent and those operators who were ‘technically assessed’ by the Environment Agency. More recently it has been applied to waste activities that were previously exempt. Candidates who need to maintain their technical competence take a test using IT at independent test centres; the tests comprise a generic section with multiple-choice questions/answers on Legislation, Health and Safety and Environmental Protection. They then answer questions on their specific option(s) depending on the competencies they wish to maintain.
Dr Lawrence Strong, WAMITAB Director General said, “it is fitting that Melvyn has received the 1.000th certificate as this represents an important milestone for him, the industry and CIWM/WAMITAB. He has always been a staunch supporter of training, skills and competence development for those employed in the industry both as a WAMITAB assessor and in his current role with LARAC. Given that the first CoTC was awarded in 1996 he is one of a long list of people who need to take the test before the end of February 2011. The Continuing Competence aspect of the scheme is still new to the industry and will take some time to ‘bed-in’ although 85% pass first time, however, the key to success is thorough preparation. Based on feedback changes are already planned from March 2011 to improve the ‘test experience’ for candidates. In addition, the original two-year time period has been extended by 12 months to accommodate the additional exemptions”.
For further information please visit the Continuing Competence page.
Tour the EcoPark's Energy from Waste and Compost Centre
Posted on 22nd March 2011
The Resource Forum, together with hosts London Waste Limited are offering a tour of the EcoPark's Fnergy from Waste and Compost Centre in Edmonton on 4th April 2011. Click here for access to the invite and contact information.
MISN Newsletter March 2011
Posted on 6th April 2011
The newsletter for Members of the Manufacturing industries Stakeholder Network.
ADBA Show Report
Posted on 8th July 2011
Read the WAMITAB report of the recent Anaerobic Digestion and Biogas exhibition.
HSE Consultation
Posted on 15th August 2011
Last Friday, HSE opened its three month consultation on plans for cost of interventions to be recovered from businesses found to be in material breach of health and safety law. The consultation can be found at: http://www.hse.gov.uk/consult/condocs/cd235.htm
I would strongly urge and encourage WISH member organisations to take time to look at the proposals in detail and to provide feedback as the proposals represent a significant change in approach. Collective and individual responses from organisations are welcome, as such WISH members may want to alert individual member companies to the consultation process as well.
I hope the industry will take this opportunity to contribute.
Youth Unemployment; WAMITAB One Step Ahead.
Posted on 31st August 2011
The Facts and Figures
The Department for Education has released shocking figures today, highlighting the requirement for greater availability of qualifications and training in the youth sector. The proportion of 18-24 year olds in England who are not in employment, education or training (Neet) has risen to 18.4%.
To bring some perspective, this figure is the highest for the second quarter since 2006, and is up from 16.3% last year. Between April and June alone almost one million 16-24 year olds were reported to be Neet. Last week, figures from the Office for National Statistics showed that youth unemployment in the UK - the proportion of 16 to 24-year-olds not in work - had also risen, from 20% to 20.2% in the quarter to June.
The Downing Street Response
A government spokesman said the number of young people not in education, employment or training "has been too high for too long". So what do they plan to do about it?
The government has seen improvements in 16-18 Neet figures with the boost in apprenticeships, and has pledged to set out a strategy for post-16 participation in education later this year. The government will have supported 250,000 more adult apprenticeship places than previously planned and has launched a Work Programme offering personalised support and training to help unemployed young people.
The WAMITAB Way
WAMITAB have been following labour market intelligence data and employment patterns for some time and have pre-empted this dire need for education and training in the youth market. In response to this, we have been working to ensure that entrants to the sector have the best possible opportunity to gain employment and progress in education and training. By offering Apprenticeship programmes in Sustainable Resource Management, Facilities Management and Cleaning and Environmental Services, WAMITAB is ensuring that young people and adults will have access to vital training and education in a format that is both engaging and practical.
WAMITAB have also developed a suite of pre-employment qualifications which meet the needs of young people looking for support in areas such as CV writing, interview skills and working within a team. By seeking to de-mystify the routes to success and employment, it is hoped that these qualifications will be an accessible and achievable opportunity for the unemployed. Eligible for funding under the Work Programme, the qualifications are unique in their inclusion of various WAMITAB Level 1 and Level 2 vocational units, affording opportunities for the development of skills and knowledge which will form the basis for a career in the waste, recycling and resource management industries - as well as many others.
The Bottom Line
Education Secretary Andy Burnham has said ‘For the first time there is a risk that the next generation will do worse than the last' and WAMITAB will continue to make positive changes to prevent such a situation from affecting the sectors that it represents.
WAMITAB Celebrate Success at RWM 2011
Posted on 20th September 2011
WAMITAB's first Exhibition at the new RWM/CIWM joint show at the NEC was today hailed an overwhelming success. Over the 3 days of the exhibition, more than 200 delegates visited the WAMITAB stand. Many were keen to find out about the new qualifications on offer, from Apprenticeships in Sustainable Resource Management, Facilities Management and Cleansing, to pre-employment programmes and skills for public services.
Visitors were able to discuss their continuing professional development with WAMITAB experts, and consider the many options available to them to improve their employability and ‘recession-proof' their career.
The show also gave WAMITAB staff Lawrence, Ray, Senga, Katie and Sue, the opportunity to publicise the Operator Competence programmes and to highlight the need for existing COTC holders to sit their continuing competence test before the deadline; 29th February 2012. WAMITAB Director General, Dr Lawrence Strong, said, "We were able to answer candidates' questions and talk them through the booking process on our website. With the deadline rapidly approaching it was an ideal time to encourage the many visitors to our stand to book their test".
Amongst the visitors were several WAMITAB Centres, including, Dudley College,(pictured) SERAC, WAMAS, ADL Environmental, Tyne Metropolitan College, TRACKSS, QSP, Albion Environmental and Cross Keys Training.
On the final day, we were pleased to welcome CIWM immediate past president, Terry march and Deputy Chief Executive, Chris Murphy, who performed the Champagne business card draw. The lucky recipient, Caroline McKenzie of Gedling Borough Council, will be presented with her prize in the near future.
WAMITAB look forward to RWM 2012!
Melvin Davis Outstanding Portfolio of the Year Award
Posted on 5th December 2011
Following the early demise of Melvin Davis, Lead IV and valued assessor with A T NERAC, his widow, Barbara, suggested a memorial award and the Melvin Davis Outstanding Portfolio of the Year Award was created.
Assessors were encouraged to submit portfolios they considered to be outstanding, for consideration by the Lead IV's, Keith Bratley and Peter Hadfield. The 3 finalists were John Hunter, Northumberland County Council, Maria Di Monaco, Yorwaste and Paul Wilson, Frogsons.
As Peter was the assessor for one of the finalists, Keith volunteered to make the final decision and he selected Paul Wilson as the Winner for 2011.
A presentation was held on the 2nd November, attended by Paul Wilson, Barbara Davis, Peter Hadfield, Keith Bratley, Karen Milnes and Ray Burberry and Paul received a Silver engraved trophy, an engraved paperweight, a Certificate of Achievement and a cheque for £100.
