Environmental Certificate Training – What are the Options?

Both the IEMA and NEBOSH environmental certificate are recognised qualifications, which are covered below, but there are also other qualifications that could be considered including IOSH Managing Environmental Responsibilities.

The NEBOSH Environmental Certificate

There are a number of NEBOSH certificates including the general certificate, construction certificate, fire certificate and others. The NEBOSH Environmental Certificate Training course is one of the more recent additions to the NEBOSH portfolio of qualifications. This level of Environmental Certificate Training comprises two units of learning; these being:- EC1 Management and control of environmental hazards and EC2 Environmental practical application.

The first module EC1 typically comprises 35 hours of taught material and 25 hours of individual study. This unit of the Environmental Certificate Training contains the theory materials and is divided into nine elements, these being:-

• Foundations in environmental management; including legal, ethical and financial aspects.

• Environmental management systems, including an appreciation of ISO 14001.

• Environmental impact assessment.

• Control of emissions to air.

• Control of contamination of water sources.

• Control of waste and land use.

• Sources of energy and energy efficiency.

• Control of environmental noise.

• Planning for and dealing with environmental emergencies.

The second module EC2 is to carry out an environmental assignment under the guidance of the tutor, and then generate a written environmental report to include the findings.

The IEMA Certificate Options

There are two levels of IEMA certificate qualification; these being the IEMA Foundation Certificate in Environmental Management and the IEMA Associate Certificate Course in Environmental Management.

The IEMA Foundation Certificate is designed to raise professional competence levels for those who have only recently become involved in environmental management or for whom environmental management is an integral part of a wider range of their day to day responsibilities. The course comprises the following modules, which are typically covered on a course over a period of 4 days:

- Module 1 - Sustainable business thinking:- including an understanding of the issues, science and philosophy that underpin environmental management.

- Module 2 - Environmental legislation:- identification of relevant legislation for an organisation and how an organisation can demonstrate compliance with environmental legal requirements.

- Module 3 - Tools for the assessment and interpretation of Environmental Performance:- Guidance on the tools that can be used for assessing environmental performance.

-Module 4: Environmental Management Systems:- Covering the key elements of an environmental, including an understanding of ISO14001.

The IEMA Associate Certificate Course in Environmental Management is designed for health, safety and environmental practitioners, view to increasing professional competence. The course is open to anyone but some previous environmental experience is advisable. Delegates who successfully complete the course will gain Associate Membership of the IEMA (AIEMA).

The IEMA Associate Certificate Course is typically delivered in a classroom environment over a period of two weeks. The course is divided into 3 modules:

- Module 1: Environmental sustainability

- Module 2: Environmental legislation

- Module 3: Assessment, interpretation and management of environmental performance