CONTINUING COMPETENCE (CC)
When I gained my CoTC I was told it was for life. Why do I now need to take Continuing Competence tests?
Your CoTC is still valid but the Environmental Permitting Regulations 2007, which came into force in England and Wales (only) on 6 April 2008 introduced a new requirement for individuals to maintain their competence over time. CIWM / WAMITAB has developed a ‘Continuing Competence scheme' which enables holders of COTC's and, in future, holders of new competence qualifications etc., to demonstrate their on-going competence.
How do I comply with the Continuing Competence scheme requirements?
All existing CoTC holders who achieved their CoTC(s) before 6 April 2008 will have to pass an assessment within a two-year period from 1 March 2009. All individuals will have to register with the CIWM/WAMITAB Waste Operator Competence Scheme and will have access to the syllabi for the assessments. This will be accessible via WAMITAB's web site under the section entitled ‘Continuing Competence'. The assessment will contain multiple choice questions and comprise questions on a ‘generic' element, applicable to all sites, and an element which contains ‘site/activity specific' questions.
Successful candidates will receive a ‘Continuing Competence' certificate from CIWM/WAMITAB.
Where can I take my assessment for Continuing Competence and what is the cost?
Assessments will be ‘on-line' and be taken at independent Centres located throughout England and Wales; assessments will also be booked and paid for on-line via WAMITAB's web site. The total cost will comprise a fee for the generic element and an additional cost depending on the number of competence areas (COTC's) you wish to achieve. Depending on the number of options chosen this will be approximately £100.00 over the two year period.
How long have I got before I need to show I have complied with CC?
Those individuals who have achieved their CoTC(s) before 22nd December 2008, which was the date our scheme was approved, have to meet the ‘Continuing Competence' requirements within a two-year period from 1 March 2009. For all those individuals who achieve an initial competence award after 1 March 2009 they will have to demonstrate their continuing competence between the two years following 1 March 2011.