Speaking about the new venture, Chris James, CEO at WAMITAB, said: “We are committed and keen to be involved in the assessment process for the new apprenticeship standards. Whilst the standards for the sectors in which we operate, waste and resource management, cleaning and facilities management are still in development, we consider it important that we are organised and prepared for when they become available. Employers in the sector will welcome the opportunity to work with a familiar face who understands the workplaces they operate in.”

He continued: “We are pleased to have Karen as part of the WAMITAB team, as she has knowledge of WAMITAB’s market offer and has gained valuable experience of managing qualifications in a wider setting.”

Karen has a broad background in Learning and Development and Assessment including Apprenticeships. Karen has come from a regional employers’ organisation that supports the local authorities of the South West, where she was responsible for providing end-to-end candidate support for all those undertaking qualifications with ILM, Pearson and WAMITAB.

In her new role, Karen will be reporting to Mark Hyde, Commercial Director at WAMITAB, who said: “We are pleased to welcome Karen to the WAMITAB team, to strengthen our offer in the apprenticeship market and also to broaden our portfolio to reflect the changes in the world of education and skills. Whilst we wait for the new apprenticeship standards to be available it is still business as usual for the existing apprenticeship frameworks in our sector in England.”

In May 2017 Trailblazer apprenticeship standards were launched in England along with a different funding mechanism that sees employers with a wages bill of over £3m making a contribution in the form of the Apprenticeship Levy. The change includes a gradual transition from the old frameworks to the new apprenticeships standards, which contain information on on-programme training and an end-point assessment to confirm apprentices have demonstrated that they have met the standard. It is a requirement that an independent EPA organisation must carry out the end-point assessment of each apprentice to ensure a robust and true outcome.

WAMITAB is in the early stages of developing our offer to become an end-point assessment organisation, which involves the design and development of the content of the end-point assessment in line with the assessment plan. The types of assessment that could be expected are test questions, project topics or guidance for interview formats. Only organisations on the Register of Apprenticeship Assessment Organisations are able to carry out the end-point assessment. The end-point assessment process is separate to any qualifications or other assessment that the apprentice may undertake during training but they will not be able to achieve the apprenticeship without passing the end-point assessment.

Employers in the sectors are working together to design new Standards and assessment plans for apprenticeships but until these are approved for delivery, the frameworks continue to be available for employers keen to take on apprentices in waste and resource management, cleaning and facilities management. These old frameworks do not require an end-point assessment as they comprise separate vocational qualifications that are assessed in the usual way by assessors working though approved training organisations. The funding process is the same for frameworks and standards, with support accessible and funding is through the apprenticeship levy for large employers and ‘co-investment’ rate model to support employers who do not pay the levy.

EU legislation promoting the collection and recycling of WEEE (Directive 2002/96/EC on WEEE) has been in force since February 2003 and an EU funded project under the Erasmus+ Sector Skills Alliance programme, EwasteR, began in December 2014, with the aim of identifying the skills required to process WEEE efficiently and effectively.

The EwasteR project brings together 13 partners from Cyprus, Italy, Poland and the UK to work together to develop a skills framework and pilot programme to identify and deliver the right skill set for a sustainable approach to e-waste. The three-year project started in December 2014 and is due to complete in January 2018 with the aim of emphasising the relationship between waste creation and resource management and to demonstrate the need for skills, competence and experience of entrepreneurs and managers in devising a solution and/or an appropriate intervention.

WAMITAB is hosting an E-Seminar on Tuesday 12 December 2017 at the London Videoconference Centre in Holborn, London, UK starting at 9.45 am (GMT) and finishing at 1.00 pm. The programme will be conducted in English and delivered online to facilitate easy access for participants from across Europe and beyond, allowing them to log on and learn more about the project – the registration link has been shared extensively through social media channels – Link to register for EwasteR E-Seminar - 12 December 2017.

The event will be presented in two sessions. The first session, from 9.45-11.30, will share the lessons learned from the project over the last three years, covering the curriculum development process and the findings from the pilot programmes that have taken place in each country. The second part of the programme will set the project in the wider context of WEEE reuse and recycling in Europe where legislation has been driving the increase in recycling and/or re-use of WEEE and where there has been a gradual move away from the traditional linear economy model towards a more circular economy approach where the value of products and materials is maintained for as long as possible, bringing major economic benefit and a strong focus on sustainability.

The partners in Italy, UK, Poland and Cyprus have been collaborating to create a qualifications framework at EQF Level 4, which addresses both the management and the technical skills required by those already working in WEEE reuse and recycling or seeking opportunities in the green economy.

The lead partner is Italy-based ERIFO, an accredited Vocational Education and Training (VET) provider; working with their partners: Terre di Siena Lab, Regione Toscana and Regione Lazio. WAMITAB (the Waste Management Industry Training & Advisory Board) has been working with their UK partners, University of Central Lancashire (UCLan) and the London Community Resource Network (LCRN). In Poland the partners are The Institute of Environmental Protection – National Research Institute (IEP-NRI); Institute for Private Enterprise and Democracy and Educational Research Institute (IBE). In Cyprus the partners are Intercollege’ Cyprus Productivity Centre (CPC) and the Cyprus Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

The final reports and outputs from the project will be available in early 2018 via the project’s website and through the partner organisations.

You'll be able to apply for standard rules waste permits next year using a new online service. The Environment Agency is building the service on the GOV.UK website. They’re also creating new software for Agency staff to process applications.

The online service will replace the current PDF or paper forms. It should simplify the application process. The requirements and checks will remain the same.

The aim is to launch the standard rules application service in late spring or summer 2018. The plan is to extend the service in future. It should eventually cover bespoke permits, variations, deployments, transfers and surrender.

They're planning a gradual roll-out of the service. There will be a 'private beta' launch for pre-selected applicants in March and April 2018.

Opportunities to help test the new system

The Agency has already tested prototypes of the new service with some permit holders. They’d now like more feedback from potential applicants. This gives you the chance to see what they are building and to help them develop a better system.

You can register an interest to test the new service or to take part in the ‘private beta’ launch. If you are selected, the testing happens over the telephone using your own computer. It should take about 45 minutes, whenever was convenient to you.

Register your interest

Register your interest here - https://www.smartsurvey.co.uk/s/WAMITAB1/

This is an update about some upcoming changes to staff at WAMITAB Head Office, as we say goodbye to two longstanding members of staff: Gill Thomas, Quality Auditor, and Janet Western, Applications Administrator.

Quality Assurance

Gill will be leaving WAMITAB on Thursday 8th June to take up a similar role with another awarding organisation, which is both closer to home and a two-day week contract. Gill has been an integral part of the WAMITAB team for the past six years, and has made a significant contribution to the high quality delivery of qualifications to the sectors that we represent.

We have taken this opportunity to review the present quality assurance provision and are currently recruiting for two positions to support the quality assurance function within WAMITAB; and will inform you of these appointments in due course.

We plan to divide the function across two separate roles, to enhance our continuing commitment to quality and validity values and to better support the divergent nature of our qualifications and products; recognising the different requirements for taught and tested versus work-based qualifications.

In the interim, Quality Assurance issues should be directed to Katie Cockburn (Qualifications Manager). Centre applications and commercial developments should be directed to either Sharon Simpson (Project Manager) or Mark Hyde (Commercial Director).

Administrative Support

Janet is also leaving WAMITAB in June to work at a recently opened Suez site closer to home, which will afford her much less time wasted grappling with Northampton’s busy roads! Janet has supported Centres and the Environment Agency over the past 10 years, through the evolution of WAMITAB qualifications, and her expertise and enthusiasm will be missed. Janet’s final day at WAMITAB will be Friday 9th June.

Continuing Competence and Operator Competence Scheme qualification registrations, certificate claims and enquiries should be directed to info.admin@wamitab.org.uk or to Liz Wykes directly.

In the short term, please be reassured that WAMITAB’s existing administrative team are structured to maintain the level of service and customer care that Centres and Learners are used to receiving. We are reviewing our long term approach to administrative support in line with the introduction of the WAMITAB Omnia system and will keep you informed of any further recruitment decisions.

We're sure you will join us in wishing both Gill and Janet well in their future endeavours, and thanking them for the time, commitment and support given to Centres across the WAMITAB Centre Network.