Commenting on the recognition, the chairman of WINTO, the Earl of Arran, stated: “We are delighted to receive this accreditation. If we are to achieve the objectives of the National Waste Strategies and meet future legislation and regulation, it is vital that the skills and qualifications of the waste management and associated industries are developed significantly.”
With this accreditation, WINTO will now look to gain support and funding from the Education Department to conduct a “Workforce Development Plan” for the waste sector and also review the previously undertaken Occupational Mapping Survey of the industry, paying particular reference to the possibility of redefining the sector to include waste producers and other industries likely to be affected by forthcoming environmental legislation from the UK and Europe.
Support
WINTO will be working closely with the Environmental Services Association, the Institute of Waste Management and training assessment contractor WAMITAB to ensure that its objectives accord with the demands placed upon the waste sector and that the active support of these bodies is maintained and developed.
“This is an important stepping stone,” Lord Arran continued. “April 2002 sees the introduction of the government’s Sector Skills Councils. We intend to put forward a very strong case aimed at gaining accreditation as the Wastes and Secondary Resources Sector Skills Council to provide the necessary knowledge and expertise to UK industry to enable it to meet its legislative responsibilities.”
WINTO will look to devise and publish national standards for vocational qualifications which will contract Awarding Bodies, of which WAMITAB will be one, to market and control the assessment and certification process.
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