Section 2: CERTIFICATE OF TECHNICAL COMPETENCE (CoTC)

I already hold a CoTC, is this still valid with EPR07 in force from 6 April 2008?
Yes, the CoTC (and the NVQ that underpins the CoTC) will remain valid as appropriate qualifications to meet the necessary Technical Competence requirements specified within the Environmental Permitting Regulations 2007 in England and Wales (providing it still meets the competence requirements for the risk tier associated with your facility). What will change is the need to demonstrate Continuing Competence every two years from 1 March 2009.

Note that the ‘WAMITAB CoTC scheme' is still valid in Scotland and Northern Ireland.

Will I need to re-take my WAMITAB CoTC?
No. So long as your CoTC (or the NVQ that underpins the CoTC) are appropriate for your facility then all you will need to do is meet the Continuing Competence requirements from 1 March 2009.

I have a number of CoTC's what should I do?
Generally all you will have to do is to take the Continuing Competence assessment every two years from 1 March 2009. It is intended that you will only have to sit one assessment even though you hold more than one CoTC. The assessment that you take will include questions relating to the appropriate CoTC's that you hold.

Do my COTC's expire as EPR07 came into force on 6 April 2008?
No. The COTC's (and the NVQs that underpin them) remain appropriate qualifications to meet the Technically Competent Requirements as specified within the Environmental Permitting Regulations 2007, effective from 6 April 2008. All you will have to do from 1 March 2009 is to ensure that the Continuing Competence requirements are met every two years.

What will I get instead of a CoTC?
What you get to demonstrate competence will depend on the risk tier for your facility.

  • High risk: The CoTC will still be available for those persons who achieve a 12 Unit NVQ within the ‘High Risk' tier but this will be optional to the candidate after 22 December 2008. Those candidates who registered for a CoTC before 6 April 2008 will be issued with their CoTC as usual following that date;
  • Medium risk: A new 6-unit award will be available and WAMITAB will issue a Certificate entitled ‘Operator Competence Certificate'. Alternatively a Vocationally Related Qualification is available from WAMITAB;
  • Low risk: A new 4-unit award will be available and WAMITAB will issue a Certificate entitled ‘Operator Competence Certificate'. If you are required to achieve an EPOC then CIWM will issue an ‘Environmental Permit Operators Certificate'.

What is happening to the CoTC in the future?
In England and Wales the CoTC will become an optional certificate for candidates that achieve the appropriate 12 Unit NVQ for high risk activities. The CoTC will continue to be available from WAMITAB for issue to candidates if they choose and pay the relevant fee (currently £120.00) to show the competence achieved when EPR07 came in force on 6 April 2008.

The CoTC scheme in Scotland and Northern Ireland is not changing.

I am part way through my CoTC what do I need to do?
Make yourself aware of the Technically Competence Person requirements as specified within the Environmental Permitting Regulations 2007 that came into force on 6 April 2008 and discuss the situation with the EA. You may find that depending on your particular facility type, that there is no change to the competence requirements you need to demonstrate. However in some instances, and depending on the Risk Tier your facility falls within, candidates may find that they do not need to achieve the full 12 units of the NVQ and that only 6 or 4 units need to be gained.

Will I get a refund as I have already registered for a CoTC and I now find I don't need one?
No. WAMITAB has a responsibility to deliver and maintain the CoTC Scheme in England and Wales until the Environmental Permitting Regulations 2007 came into force on 6 April 2008. Thereafter WAMITAB's responsibilities for the CoTC scheme will remain in Scotland and Northern Ireland.

If your question is not included in this section, or you require further information contact WAMITAB (01604 231950), or e-mail info.admin@wamitab.org.uk