BUSINESS CLINIC
assessment was also welcomed as it meant that TCMs could continue to work whilst undertaking their qualification. In addition, the qualifications helped individuals to advance to managerial level, increasing standards of professionalism and facilitating career progression in an industry that has historically been viewed as having poor career prospects.
Other comments noted that the qualifications gave TCMs:
• formal recognition of their “widened skillset, understanding and practical skills”, giving them greater confidence to undertake their role;
• greater understanding of
environmental protection, legislation and the measures needed to remain compliant;
• “clarity about why operations are undertaken in a certain way” as well as the authority to identify and tackle poor working practices on site; and
• greater awareness of the issues facing the industry and a “better understanding of how to deal with different situations”.
How can these qualifications benefit businesses?
The research participants remarked that the qualifications could significantly benefit waste management businesses by opening up more opportunities in terms of marketing, winning contracts and business growth.
The qualifications were also found
to reduce reliance on, and the costs associated with, external consultants by ensuring that there is sufficient knowledge and skills in-house.
In addition, the qualifications assisted with succession planning. One interviewee noted that: “I’ve got my assistant manager going through the qualification now and he is learning from all my experience. When I step down, he will be able to move smoothly into position.”
Katie Cockburn, Director of Qualifications and Standards at WAMITAB, commented that this research showed the scheme could provide an ideal foundation for developing wider technical competence across an organisation: “Whilst the CIWM/ WAMITAB Operator Competence Scheme qualifications focus on management level competence; there are a range of qualifications available from Levels 1-4, which can act as a skills stairway and develop individuals across a range of roles. The lower level qualifications can even act as a tool to identify talent for progression and promotion within a business.”
Chris James, WAMITAB CEO, observed that, following completion of a primary qualification, “organisations working in the waste management industry can operate in the secure knowledge that the technically competent people they employ are fit for purpose; they have the knowledge, skills and understanding
I’ve got my assistant manager going through
the qualification now and he is learning from all my experience. When I step down, he will be able to move smoothly into position.
to operate the permitted site legally in line with the requirements of the environmental regulators.”
The research has demonstrated that CIWM/WAMITAB Operator Competence Scheme not only ensures compliance with permit requirements, but opens doors to new opportunities for both individuals and businesses. Of course, there were some negative comments too, especially in relation to the potential for repetition in some areas as well as the sheer complexity of the qualification system which, sadly, is outside of WAMITAB’s control!
Leaving the last word to Helen the author of the research: “It has been interesting and useful getting first-hand feedback from the people who use WAMITAB’s qualifications and the insight that has been gained will be invaluable to me in my role at WAMITAB. It will provide clear focus to future developments of the qualification scheme structure and content.”
47
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68
