Entry Training Routes into an Environmental Management Career

The demand for skilled professionals in environmental management roles has never been more critical, especially as climate challenges and the need for sustainable solutions continue to grow. Choosing a career in environmental management goes beyond just job satisfaction; it's a commitment to helping to shape a sustainable future for not only an individual business, but the country and, on a larger scale, the planet as a whole.

What is Environmental Management?

At its core, “environmental management” focuses around putting together and implementing strategies to balance human activities with ecological concerns and aspects in mind. Whether it's tackling climate change, conserving biodiversity, or ensuring responsible resource management, this field offers a unique opportunity to be at the forefront of positive change.

Who Should Explore This Career?

The environmental management field is well poised for growth. As the world increasingly focuses on sustainability, organisations across various industries are recognising the need for experts who can navigate and address the needs of both human activities and environmental preservation.

If you find yourself passionate about the environment, a career in environmental management might be the perfect fit. Whether you're a new entrant into this field or a professional looking to transition into a larger role, there are training courses to further your knowledge and widen your career options.

Exploring a career in environmental management could be the next step in your professional journey, especially for:

1.       Eco-Advocates: Individuals with a deep concern for the planet's well-being and a drive to be part of the solution.

2.       Problem Solvers: Those who thrive on analysing complex issues and devising practical, sustainable solutions.

3.       Policy Enthusiasts: Individuals interested in influencing and shaping environmental policies at local, national, or global levels.

4.       Technology and Innovation Experts: With advancements in technology, environmental management is increasingly relying on data analytics, remote sensing, and innovative solutions.

Introductory Training Courses

These offer a basic understanding and awareness of environmental issues; a lot of these courses are called “Environmental Awareness” or similar and cover aspects such as:

·       Sustainability

·       Principles of environmental law

·       Environmental management systems

·       Resource efficiency including energy, carbon, water and waste management

·       Pollution including different types, prevention and how to plan for pollution emergencies.

Environmental Awareness or other introductory level courses are designed for those who want to gain an overall awareness of how human activities impact the environment and how these can be improved.

Some are available in E-learning format; others take place in conventional classroom environments.

IEMA Environmental Management Courses

IEMA (Institute of Environmental Management and Assessment) environmental management courses start with at Certificate level and move through the levels to Practitioner. There are also standalone courses including specific training on different environmental management systems and developing environmental sustainability skills.

Foundation Certificate Course

The first step on the IEMA ladder of environmental management training, the Foundation Certificate course is for those at the start of their career in sustainability. Successfully passing this level leads to IEMA Associate Membership and ensures delegates have a solid foundation in a wide range of environmental, sustainability and governance principles to build on.

Certificate Course

The IEMA Certificate course gives a detailed knowledge of the environment and sustainability to persons already working at operational level in an organisation and who wish to move into environmental management and/or sustainability. This course leads directly to IEMA Practitioner Membership.

IEMA Environmental Sustainability Skills for the Workforce

This is a standalone course that comes under the wider Environmental Sustainability Skills for the Workplace development program. It is aimed at non-environmental specialists who need to gain further understanding of how they can make positive changes within their organisation.

IOSH Courses

IOSH (Institution of Occupational Safety and Health) training courses focus on raising health and safety standards in the workplace; as such, their primary goals do not focus solely on the environment. However, they do offer courses that train on this topic with a view to improving and minimising environmental impact of business activities, suitable for those who need to have a working knowledge around this topic in their day to day responsibilities.

The IOSH Working with Environmental Responsibilities course is one such option. This enables delegates to understand how business activities may damage the world around us, the how to remove or reduce this impact.

Topics covered in this type of course include:

·        Environmental concerns

·        Principles of waste management

·        Environmental law

·        Pollution control

·        Water pollution

NEBOSH Courses

NEBOSH (National Examination Board in Occupational Safety and Health) courses, like IOSH, primarily focus on health and safety but in recent years environmental qualifications have taken their place in the NEBOSH course lineup.

NEBOSH Environmental Awareness at Work Award

NEBOSH Award courses are the entry level options, suitable for those starting out in their chosen career or specialism. The Environmental Awareness at Work Award course is for employees at any level who need to have a basic awareness of workplace environmental issues. Course topics include pollution, sustainability, waste management, environmental emergency management and noise.

NEBOSH Environmental Management Certificate

NEBOSH Certificate level courses are the next level of training, generally most suited to managers, supervisors or those starting out in these roles. The Environmental Management Certificate is available on a 5 day block release format and aimed at those who have responsibility for managing environmental issues as part of their work.

For a full list of our current Environmental Management training courses, please visit our website.

Related Environmental Course Options

In addition to dedicated environmental management training courses, there are other options that focus specifically on aspects such as Water Hygiene, Noise and Pollution. Course topics may not be 100% centred around the environment but the learning may be beneficial to those starting out in this area, or those in specific job roles that include environmental considerations and where specific qualifications may be mandatory.

EUSR National Water Hygiene training

The EUSR National Water Hygiene training course is aimed at those who work on clean water sites/the clean water network as all UK Water Companies require this registration before entry is granted. Whilst the slant of this course is primarily focused around water hygiene and how contamination can affect human health, contamination also has effects on the environment.

CITB SEATS (Site Environmental Awareness Training)

The 1 day SEATS course from the CITB is aimed specifically at those with management or supervisory responsibilities on a construction site, including site managers, site supervisors, site foreman, site agents and those with design or purchasing responsibilities.  Content in this course touches on the significance of the environment, environmental management systems, preventing pollution, water management, waste management and responsible use of energy and resources.