WAMITAB qualifications manager to retire
Waste Management Industry Training and Advisory Board announces retirement of Ray Burberry
THE Waste Management Industry Training and Advisory Board (WAMITAB) has announced the retirement of Ray Burberry, effective 31 March 2016, bringing to a close a career of more than 20 years’ continuous service to WAMITAB and the industry.
Mr Burberry joined WAMITAB in July 1995 as qualifications manager, just six years after the organization was established, and has helped to set in place a range of well-respected industry qualifications as well as steering the well-respected CIWM/WAMITAB Operator Competence Scheme and the Continuing Competence Test.
In his role as qualifications manager he has held responsibility for the delivery and quality assurance of qualifications offered by WAMITAB and acted as a vital liaison and link with the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA), the Environment Agency (EA) in England; Natural Resources Wales (NRW); Northern Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA) and the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA).
Chris James, chief executive officer of WAMITAB, said: ‘Ray’s name is almost synonymous with WAMITAB, and it is with a sense of nostalgia that we will say farewell to him after he has served over 20 years with the organization.
‘During his time with WAMITAB, he has played an invaluable role in helping operators to understand technical competence and supporting the industry through numerous changes in legislation and regulations.’
Commenting on his decision to retire, Mr Burberry said: ‘It has been an interesting few decades; with change being a regular feature of both the qualifications and skills arena and the resource management world.
‘It has been a pleasure working with colleagues within the organization and with WAMITAB’s network of approved training providers and assessors, as well as with the industry regulators and the health and safety community. I am grateful for all the support over the years but I feel now is a good time to hand over the reins.’
Mr James added: ‘There is no doubt that Ray’s experience will be missed but we have set in place a rigorous succession plan, which includes Katie Cockburn taking on the role of qualifications manager from 1 April 2016.
‘We are confident that Katie, who joined the organization in September 2010 as qualifications and development officer, is well placed to take on Ray’s role as we continue to extend our reach into the total facilities management market.’
Ms Cockburn will be heading up the qualifications team which has been strengthened over the previous year with the recruitment of Louise Wilson in October 2015 to support the roll-out of new qualifications; and with Helen Kemp transferring from a project role to join Katie Cockburn to support future programme development.
Mr James continued: ‘This is an interesting time for those involved in the skills world as we grapple with reduced public funding, the introduction of an apprenticeship levy against a backdrop of increased regulations and targets for our core market in waste and resource management. The current focus on the circular economy and sustainability provides some excellent market opportunities for WAMITAB.’
