+44 1502 712209


Blog Layout

My WAMITAB Level 4 Journey

HSEC Services • 23 March 2021

My WAMITAB Level 4 Journey - Day 1, Week 1

Karen Gooderham
I started working at HSEC Services in September 2020, as Centre Administrator. I have been working in administration for over 20 years but for the last 10 years I have been in the oil and gas industry. 

When it comes to the waste industry, I know nothing! When I had my interview Ben at the time said he would expect me too complete a WAMITAB Level 4 Waste Management qualification. 

At the time I was thinking to myself ‘yeah that will be fine’, I can do that, I’ve done NVQ’s’. 

I’ve now been with HSEC Services 5 months, doing the day-to-day administration for the centre and its now time to find out more about waste management it’s self and also to start my journey to achieve the WAMITAB Level 4 Certificate in Waste and Resource Management – VRQ qualification. 

About 6 weeks ago Ben said to me he was putting me on the VRQ course we had running in February and March. For the week leading up to it I will say it worried me, everything was running through my head, ‘I know nothing about what goes on, on sites. How much am I expected to know’.

The VRQ course is run online, over the course of 5 days, before the course starts you are issued the following:

• Portfolio – 5 Mandatory Units and Optional Unit(s)
• Question Papers

You are sent a Zoom link for the course the week before the course starts.

I will be attending the split course, which will be 3 days in February and the following 2 days in March.

It is the first day and I have my portfolio and question papers, too hand, as well a notepad and pen. 

On my course there was 8 of us and there was a good mixture of people from various backgrounds. The Trainer introduced himself and gave a brief outlook of how the course will be run the chosen dates. 

The course is done via ‘Power Point Presentation’. Everyone introduces themselves and then it is straight into the first unit.

Over the course of the three days, we covered three full units and half off another, which we will pick up again in March. 

The trainer talks you through each slide, makes you aware of information you can access in order to research and learn more on that subject you are covering.

I learnt about a ‘Waste Hierarchy’ and how to apply it to different types of waste, it was interesting to know that all waste operators have to apply this. What I did find a helpful was the Trainer would give you scenarios of when things may happen, this helped me to understand more why things were needed. 

I liked the health and safety unit, this was because I knew a bit of the subjects being covered and it was a lot easier for me to pick up bits of information, I may of not known. 

One of the things I liked covering was the risk assessments, as this was an easier way to produce them, compared to how I have previously did them. 

The administration part which was covered - keeping records and management systems I liked, as this is what I enjoy doing in administration and why I work within administration. I learnt about the different types of permits and the differing rules. 

Over the three days, we covered a lot of different elements and if you work on a waste management site, I can see why this is beneficial and people take on this qualification.

I did find the sustainability section hard going.

The course is very intense and there is a lot to take in. Now I have got a 2-week break before I finish the remaining units, I need to start working on the question papers. 

Even though I have a year to complete this qualification, I am going to start these early, as I think if I leave it too late, I will forget what I have learnt up on the course, plus the notes I have taken will not make any sense too me! I have started working on a question paper for one of the units and I’m hoping that I will soon be able to submit it for marking.

Wish me luck! 

You can also follow us on social media!

by HSEC Services Team 7 February 2025
On the 18th of December 2024 the ‘Environment Agency’ realised a series of ‘new’ consolidated standard rules permits, which replace a number of older standard rules, which now have been withdrawn. Below we have provided a table showing the activity description, permits which have been withdrawn, the new consolidated permit applicable and updated technical competence requirements which have changed for some activities to reflect the inclusion of hazardous waste. We have included working links within the table to additional information regarding the new consolidated standard rules permits and Technical Competence qualifications and purpose statements. The table can be downloaded here -> https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Lex_fyGXbWUsgGpLW1W8104DsIv8Njo9/view Quick fire question and answer! Q) I have read through the new standard rules permit applicable to me and I cant adhere to the rules within it, what do I do? A) If you cannot comply with the new standard rules permit you will need to apply to vary your permit into a bespoke permit. You must apply for a bespoke permit within 3 months of the date the standard rules was published which was the 18 December 2024. Q) I have reviewed my technical competence against the new standard rules permit for my facility using the table below, and I require an additional qualification / or units. Do the EA expect me to achieve this within the 3-month window? A) No, the Environment Agency will put in place a 'Regulatory Position Statement (RPS)', which will give anyone affected 12 months from the date the RPS is published to achieve any additional units or qualifications. Q) I have reviewed the new standard rules permit applicable to me and I can adhere to it, is their anything else I need to know or do, other than reviewing my technical competence? A) As required by rule 1 within any standard rules permit, you need to operate in line with a written management system more commonly known as an Environmental Management System or EMS. This should be readily available to site staff and regulators on request. This will need to be reviewed to consider any changes to the permit and associated operating techniques. We have also provided an additional link below to the non-hazardous and inert waste: appropriate measures which is linked to the majority of these new standard rules permits. Link : https://www.gov.uk/guidance/non-hazardous-and-inert-waste-appropriate-measures-for-permitted-facilities Note : New permits such as the ‘SR2022 No4’ and ‘SR2022 No5’ are listed twice within the table, both as a high and medium risk operations. This is to reflect the fact that not all sites will opt to accept asbestos. Therefore, anyone accepting asbestos will need to meet the requirements of the high-risk listing; anyone not accepting asbestos will need to meet the requirements of the medium-risk listing.
by HSEC Services Team 11 December 2024
Why learn something new? There are compelling reasons for upskilling, which generally fall into two categories: personal and professional. On a personal level, acquiring new knowledge or skills boosts self-confidence and provides a sense of accomplishment while offering valuable mental stimulation. In the professional realm, updated skills and knowledge can open doors to career advancement. Why this time of year? Two key periods in the year often motivate people to make changes in their lives. The first is the first week of January, commonly associated with New Year’s Resolutions. The second period is right now! As the seasons change, we begin to contemplate the year ahead while reflecting on the challenges and accomplishments of the past year. Although life may start to slow down a bit, this gives most of us a chance to focus on personal development, whether through short courses, or technical qualifications. Make learning bite-size and convenient! For many, pursuing qualifications or training often feels like a daunting task that gets pushed aside. In operations, it's easy to become absorbed in immediate concerns. Over the last five years, we’ve noticed a trend: individuals start thinking about their development early in the year but delay enrolling until mid to late spring when a brief lull occurs. As the weather improves and work becomes less muddy, they finally take the plunge and enrol. But why put yourself under extra pressure? The initial stages of any qualification or training can be challenging as you transition back into educational mode, often for the first time in years. Delaying enrolment until the workload intensifies leads to interruptions in your studies. By starting your learning now, you can find time to gradually tackle your studies in digestible chunks. By the time spring arrives, you could be well on your way to completion. Since you'll have a solid understanding of what’s required, you can integrate your studies into your routine, even during the busier months. How can we help? We deliver a wide range of qualifications and training to the waste, quarrying, utilities and associated sectors. To start your journey by emailing us at info@hsecservices.co.uk or alternatively give us a call on 01502 712209 ! Have a better business, with better training!
by HSEC Services Team 27 October 2023
CIWM ( WAMITAB ) Level 3 Award in Health and Safety Supervision for Resource and Waste Management Sector!
by HSEC Services Team 6 September 2023
Do you operate an exempt waste facility, such as a T9 or S2 among others, do you have someone employed or contracted in who has the required technical competence to legally manage your exemption?
by HSEC Services Team 10 August 2023
So, what is a managed training service? It’s effectively where an organisation looks to outsource aspects of an organisations learning and development functions, using a single training provider or organisation, to supply and source all of their qualifications and training either directly or indirectly, in addition to administrative services such as reporting, updating training records, copy certificates etc.
by HSEC Services 18 April 2023
Build Your own CIWM (WAMITAB) Level 4 Certificate in Waste and Resource Management - VRQ Course! The alternative route to achieve technical competence for a permitted facility!
CIWM (WAMITAB) Certificate in Waste and Resource Management
by HSEC Services 13 February 2023
About the CIWM (WAMITAB) Level 4 Certificate in Waste and Resource Management
by HSEC Services 6 February 2023
Waste Exemptions Consultation Outcome - Supplementary Government Response - Updated 6 February 2023
by HSEC Services 9 December 2022
🎅🏼🎄£12,000 in prizes to be won! 🎄🎅🏼
by HSEC Services 30 September 2022
From Monday 3rd of October 2022, the Health and Safety Executive are starting targeted inspections of the waste industry.
Share by:
WAMITAB and MPQC Approved Centre, Delivery Nationwide