Latest News
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.
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!
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.