Hughes is current Board Technical Lead for the Wood Recycler’s Association and replaces outgoing CIWM President Doctor Professor David Greenfield.
The inauguration also marks the launch of Hughes’ 12-month presidential campaign, “Think Again”.
The campaign calls on the resources and waste industry to commit to improving sector attractiveness by engaging with job seekers and recruiters.
The sector faces the challenge of recruiting an additional 68,000 employees by 2036 to meet current growth projections.
The new President said: “Think Again is about changing the perception that the resources and waste sector is all about rubbish and bin lorries.
“I want to spend my year as CIWM President helping people beyond our sector to see that we sit at the heart of the circular economy, protect valuable resources, tackle social, economic and environmental challenges, and offer rewarding careers for people from all backgrounds.”
Research commissioned by CIWM revealed that the sector currently lacks visibility, clarity and positioning when competing in the jobs market.
Furthermore, it highlighted that the term “waste” often put people off looking at jobs early in the recruitment process.
To challenge this, the campaign includes three core aims:
- To change the way the sector talks about itself
- To encourage organisations to commit to practical action through the Think Again Pledge
- To raise awareness of the wide range of careers available by reaching audiences beyond the sector’s traditional networks.
Hughes continued: “One of the biggest misconceptions is that we only need people with waste and recycling experience. In reality, we need talent from almost every professional background.
“The first step is changing the conversation. We need to help people understand that ours is a modern, dynamic and innovative sector with opportunities across design, engineering, finance, communications, technology, planning, operations, environmental management, and many other professions.”
The “Think Again” Pledge
The “Think Again” Pledge asks organisations to commit to five practical actions:
- Rethinking language and identity to remove stigma and reflect the sector’s true value.
- Raising visibility of the diverse careers available.
- Creating clear and attractive career pathways for new entrants and returners.
- Championing flexible and inclusive workplaces.
- Showcasing the real impact and opportunity within the sector.
Organisations can sign the pledge here.
Vicki concluded: “I never planned a career in the resource and waste management sector, but I’ve ended up spending the majority of my working life in it. It’s one of those sectors that, once you’re in, you become hooked.
“This campaign is not simply about encouraging people to think and talk differently about our sector. It’s about encouraging organisations to act. The Think Again Pledge provides a practical way for employers and industry leaders to demonstrate their commitment to attracting and developing the talented workforce our sector needs.
“If we want to build the workforce of the future, we must first help people think differently about the opportunities that exist today.”
Backing from CIRQLR
The presidential inauguration is being sponsored by business recycling group CIRQLR.
David Palmer-Jones OBE, CEO of CIRQLR, said: “Vicki’s leadership is wholeheartedly supported by CIRQLR and so many colleagues across the recycling and waste sector, in driving forward this vital campaign to both up-skill and upscale the people who will both future-proof our sector and enable the wider UK economy to adapt to, and benefit from greater circularity in how we manage our shared materials and natural capital.”
Register for free to comment