As a result of the published guidance from government, we have now taken the decision to reduce operations at WAMITAB HQ to a minimum, with a reduced rota of staff on site daily to ensure we can maintain a reduced service as well as appropriate social distancing for the health and safety of our team.

As a result, the following measures will be implemented:

• WAMITAB telephone lines will be closed from 5pm on Tuesday 17th March 2020 until further notice

However, we will continue to offer advice, guidance and support via the following channels:

• info.admin@ciwmquals.co.uk – to be used for all general enquiries (not covered by the information listed below)
• quartzadmin@ciwmquals.co.uk – to be used for enquiries relating to registrations, exams, results, certificates and quartz user issues.
• qualifications@ciwmquals.co.uk – to be used for enquiries relating to quality assurance, EQA visits and portfolio sampling.
• csaf@ciwmquals.co.uk – to be used for applications for additional qualification and staff approvals.

The following contingencies have also been put in place:

Revision Guide Orders
Orders will only be processed Monday, Thursday and Friday until further notice.

Learner Registrations

WAMITAB does not expect there to be an impact on the registration process, and will continue to allow the registration of learners for all WAMITAB Centres, using the WAMITAB Quartz system.

Certification Arrangements

WAMITAB will continue to prepare the Quartz system to print certificates, and learner achievements will be recorded. Certificates will be produced at regular intervals and issued. The next certificate print and post date will be 25th March 2020.

Certification Arrangements – Specific to Operator Competence (Primary Qualification)

The advice provided above for Certification Arrangements applies, however, please be assured that we are liaising with the Environment Agency in relation to any certificate delays. As we will continue to award certificates on the WAMITAB database, we will be able to advise the Environment Agency of any learners who have achieved the required competence but have not yet received their certificate. We will continue to make this portal available to the EA also.

Assessment Arrangements – Observational, Question and Answer, Professional Discussion

Centres have already reported that planned assessments are being postponed by employers and learners as a result of existing social distancing measures. Where possible, Assessors are permitted to carry out assessments online (for example, using Skype) providing that the usual assessment requirements are met, including but not limited to: VARCS, Record Keeping and Recording.

Provision of Exams (Paper Based)

We will continue to provide exams by post where ordered, however, we will require the request 5 days prior to the planned exam date. Results will be delayed as a result of the office scale down, the next result issue date will be 25th March 2020.

Provision of Exams (Online – Classmarker)

We will continue to offer exam links for online examinations. Results for online examinations will continue to be provided on receipt (via email) of scanned invigilation paperwork.

Continuing Competence Exams (Pearson Vue Test Centres)

WAMITAB will update advice provided by Pearson Vue regularly. This can be viewed on the WAMITAB webpage: https://ciwmquals.co.uk/competence/continuing-competence/

Quality Assurance

Your EQA or a member of the WAMITAB qualifications team will be in touch regarding any booked or due Centre visits or sampling activity to arrange to either carry out the activity remotely or postpone where this is not possible.

Providing that Centres are able to provide portfolios electronically, or via courier delivery, we do not anticipate an interruption to this service.

Accounts

We will continue to offer an accounts service, via email, remotely.