After a period of re-structuring within Stoke on Trent City Council there arose the requirement for certain staff members to attain various WAMITAB COTC qualifications for the wide spectrum of sites managed by and on behalf of the council.
The main reasons for these requirements was to ensure the correct levels of WAMITAB COTC provision at their own facilities and to train members of staff from their strategy department (who have the responsibility of checking the contractual & legal compliance of the many private companies contracted to run waste facilities on behalf of the council) in the operational requirements and current best practise in managing these sites. This would ensure that the strategy officers could provide the best possible service.
The potential candidates were split between 2 different departments/reporting chains (operations/strategy) and the level of experience varied drastically between the various candidates with some managers completely new to waste management.
The council required a cost effective solution so it could meet its legal obligations. Albion Environmental Limited was contracted to assist and its involvement started right at the planning stage. A review of the council\’s facilities highlighted both the number of WAMITAB COTC holders and the nature of the awards required (this included both Transfer Station Hazardous and Landfill Hazardous awards). A further “Training Needs Analysis” revealed the current levels of knowledge & competencies of the chosen candidates and a comprehensive training package was organised.
The training package (which also included the CIWM Waste Awareness Course) was opened up to other members of staff in addition to the candidates which allowed the training to become very cost effective. The training and subsequent assessments were conducted using genuine, experienced waste practitioners who have many years practical experience running the particular waste facilities being assessed. Most of the assessments are conducted using email which further reduces costs and at present 2 candidates have passed the 4TSH award (and are half way through their second 4LH award) and a further 2 candidates have started their first award 4TSH.
The partnership approach taken by Albion Environmental Limited coupled with the modern innovative methods of assessment adopted by them has realised large savings for Stoke on Trent City Council whilst still delivering a first class service.