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The Chartered Institution of Wastes Management (CIWM) has completed its merger with operator competence scheme WAMITAB.
The move is designed to "strengthen the provision of relevant and fit-for-purpose qualifications in the resources and waste management sector".
The closer integration of WAMITAB into CIWM is part of the board’s strategy to "strengthen its focus on developing new and enhanced member services, as well as taking steps to ensure the ongoing commercial sustainability and resilience of the whole organisation".
CIWM officially takes over the development and awarding of WAMITAB’s portfolio of qualifications as of today [Monday 20th December]. Those with existing WAMITAB qualifications, or those working towards them, will continue to be recognised through CIWM indefinitely and CIWM will work closely with industry organisations, such as Defra, to ensure that employer and employee recognition for qualifications continues to be as strong as it is today. The newly merged charities will operate from CIWM’s Northampton Business Park head office.
Sarah Poulter, CEO of CIWM, said: “The integration of CIWM and WAMITAB will help realise our ambition to move the world beyond waste by building on our respective industry experience, recognition and reputation to educate, professionalise and advocate for the waste and resource management sector. We want to ensure that CIWM is positioned to deliver high-quality education, training and qualifications, creating and supporting a skilled workforce that is equipped to deliver the vital transition to a circular economy. I am keen to work closely with WAMITAB centres and stakeholders to identify new partnership opportunities, open up new markets, and share ideas and best practices; ultimately building a world-class education portfolio for our sector.”
WAMITAB was established (as the Waste Management Industry Training & Advisory Board) in 1989 by CIWM and other waste sector trade bodies. Solely owned by CIWM since 2017, it is a not-for-profit body with charitable status and its own board of trustees. WAMITAB develops and awards qualifications for site and facility operators across the UK to demonstrate competence in line with the sector’s regulatory and permitting regime. It also develops and awards qualifications for those working in cleaning and street cleansing, facilities management, and parking.
