New CIWM President Vicki Hughes is calling on organisations across the resources and waste sector to sign the Think Again Pledge and commit to transforming perceptions of the industry with job seekers and recruiters.
The Pledge sits at the centre of the 12-month Think Again Presidential Campaign, which aims to improve sector attractiveness and encourage organisations to take practical action and raise awareness of the diverse career opportunities the sector offers.
Speaking about the campaign, Hughes 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.”
Hughes will launch the first-ever CIWM Presidential Campaign at her Presidential Inauguration in York later today. Dr David Greenfield will take up the role of CIWM Immediate Past President following his 12-month term in the as President.
CIWM will also welcom Liz Parkes as Senior Vice-President, Marcus Gover as Junior Vice-President, and Emma Mulligan as Early Careers President, taking over the role from Charlotte Davies.
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.”
“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.”
As the UK continues to move towards higher recycling and greater resource efficiency, the resources and waste sector, which is worth around £24 billion, faces a challenge to recruit another 68,000 employees by 2036 to meet demand.
Research commissioned by CIWM revealed that the sector lacked visibility, clarity and positioning when competing in the jobs market. Furthermore, it highlighted that the term ‘waste’ often put people off looking at jobs before they had even started.
The Think Again campaign has 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 explained: “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.”
Organisations across the sector are encouraged to sign the Think Again Pledge on the newly launched CIWM President website and share examples of how they are helping to improve the visibility and attractiveness of careers in the resources and waste sector.
Organisations that sign the Think Again Pledge can access practical resources, guidance and tools to help turn commitment to recruitment into action.
By signing up to the Think Again Pledge, organisations 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.