CONTINUING COMPETENCE
Introduction
CIWM and WAMITAB's 'Operator Competence Scheme' (the Scheme') for England and Wales only has a requirement for individuals to keep their competence up to date. Therefore all competent persons falling within the Scheme will be required to demonstrate Continuing Competence and this will be appropriate to the level of risk posed by the facility so that it remains proportional.
This section is structured as follows:
The Continuing Competence scheme does not currently apply in Scotland and Northern Ireland. It is applicable in England and Wales for those individuals who are:
- Existing holders of a CoTC who achieved their CoTC on or before 22 December 2008, which was the date our Scheme was approved;
- New entrants who achieve one of CIWM/WAMITAB's new competence qualifications after this date (12,6 and 4 unit qualifications, VRQ and EPOC);
- 'Deemed' competent by the Environment Agency (EA); and
- 'EA assessed'; Other than those where EA assessment is a pre-requisite for obtaining the two-year CoTC exemption.
A number of deadlines apply which are as follows:
- All CoTC holders who achieved their CoTC before 22 December 2008, which was the date our scheme was approved, will have to demonstrate their continuing competence by the end of a 2-year competency period starting from 1 March 2009;
- New entrants who gain their initial competence award, one of CIWM/WAMITAB's new competence qualifications, after 22 December 2008 will have to demonstrate their continuing competence within the second two-year period starting on 1 March 2011;
- Deemed competent individuals will have to demonstrate their continuing competence within the two-year period starting on 1 March 2009;
- EA assessed individuals, these fall into two categories:
(i) individuals who passed an EA assessment for a non-CoTC activity prior to 1st March 2009 will be expected to complete a continuing competence assessment between the period 1 March 2009 and 1 March 2011;
(ii) individuals who passed an EA assessment to benefit from a 2 'year grace period and who obtain their competence qualification after 1st March 2009 will be expected to complete a continuing competence assessment during the 2'year period starting on 1 March 2011 and finishing 28 February 2013 i.e. they will skip the first cycle of continuing competence.
Competence periods are fixed 2-year periods* not two years from the date of achievement. The actual start of the first two year period was 1 March 2009 and anybody passing the test will receive a certificate dated 28 February 2011 which is when it expires. After that date the individual will have to pass another test between 1 March 2011 and 28 February 2013 which will remain valid until 28 February 2013.
*In considering the Continuing Competence period, one year was considered too short to be resetting objectives/tests and subsequent learning for candidates. A three year period was considered too long to wait for confirmation that changes had been absorbed. To be pragmatic CIWM/WAMITAB proposed a 2 year competence period especially while the pace of legislation/policy change in this sector remains high.
In order to continue to be 'competent' individuals will need to have successfully completed a Continuing Competency'test' before the end of the competency period. The method for this will be computer based and delivered through a suite of 'independent test centres' across the UK.
Proof of identity, either a valid passport or photo-card driving licence, will be required before taking the test. Following the test candidates will be issued with a test report confirming that he/she has taken the test at an approved centre. Those successfully meeting the requirements will be issued with a CIWM/WAMITAB Continuing Competence Certificate, for the appropriate risk tier, which will be dated and will expire at the end of the 2 year period. This will enable competent individuals to demonstrate this to both the Regulator and other interested parties.
The format for the tests is based on a question and multiple choice answers; the questions cover two aspects, a generic section, which is common to all competences, and an 'activity-specific' section, for example, landfill, treatment or transfer. If the person holds more than one competence award and wants to maintain all their competencies then they will have to choose multiple, 'activity specific options'.
The syllabuses for the tests are published and will allow individuals to undertake activities to obtain the necessary knowledge, skills etc in any way that is appropriate to their specific needs. This could include an organisation's own in-house training or coaching programme, 3rd party training courses (possibly using WAMITAB's Centres) or self learning e.g. via the internet. In other words gaining the required knowledge will be a self-managed process. This takes into account that everyone will have a different starting point, different learning preferences, different time and budget constraints etc.
The test encompasses 20 questions for the generic part (covering legislation, health & safety and environment protection) and a further 6 questions for the activity specific elements/options, depending on how many are chosen. The 'test time' allowed will be 30 minutes for the generic section and 10 minutes for each option. Experience has shown that this is sufficient time to complete the various sections/questions. Fees for the test are available on the 'test booking' section of this web site and will be paid by credit or debit card at the time of booking. Individuals will know the total cost of the test at the time of booking, which will depend on the number of activity-specific options chosen.
Candidates will need to correctly answer a minimum of 50% of the questions in the generic section and 50% of the questions in each option(s) chosen, and achieve an overall pass mark of 65%. In the early stages of the Continuing Competence scheme you will be notified by WAMITAB shortly after the test if you have been successful or not. Eventually it is planned that candidates will be informed of their results on the day of the test.
The following costs are effective from 1 March 2009 and will be regularly reviewed based on operating experience.
The cost for each test will reflect on how many competencies you are wishing to maintain, which will dictate how many activity specific options are chosen. The total cost comprises a charge for the Generic section (£90) and £10 for each option chosen. For example, a person with one competence to maintain will be charged £100, for two competencies (£110) etc etc. The maximum number of options which can be completed in one test is four.
The cost for a re-test is the same as above.
Please Note: if you are paying by Barclaycard, you will need to have your password available when booking to avoid being timed out.
If you need to cancel or change your test booking then you can do this by clicking on the buttons below.
Please note that after submission and confirmation of your booking, the following cancellation policy applies.
If you cancel your booking more than 7 complete calendar days before your assessment date a full refund will be made. Eg for an assessment date of 25th May, the latest date for cancellation for a full refund is 17th May.
If you cancel after this time, fail to attend your e-assessment test or do not bring the required identification, a refund will not be given under any circumstances.
If you re-schedule your booking more than 7 complete calendar days before your test date, you can do this free of charge.
If you need to re-schedule within 7 days of your test date, you will need to cancel your booking and re-book.
If you used an access code to make your original booking, you can use the same code again when you re-schedule at no extra cost, provided you re-schedule your booking more than 7 calendar days before your test date. If you need to re-schedule within 7 days of your test date, you will need a new access code, which will be chargeable.
If you are in any doubt or have learning difficulties please contact WAMITAB for advice (01604 231 950).
Please Note - WAMITAB DOES NOT RECOMMEND that you select the "Re-sit Option" However, if you decide to pay for either the Re-sit or the "Flexible Time Start" Option, please make sure you read the "How does it work?" section very carefully.
