Northop: Coleg Cambria launches innovative programmes for sustainable workforce development in UK’s shift to green economy

Coleg Cambria has launched new qualifications to build sustainable workforces and help future-proof organisations as part of the UK’s move towards a ‘green economy’.

The college’s Northop Business School unveiled a suite of Level 2 and Level 3 online courses designed to support the public and private sectors in their journey towards ‘net zero’.

Accredited by the Institute of Environmental Management and Assessment (IEMA) – the largest professional body for environmental practitioners in the UK and worldwide, with up to 21,000 members – the Environmental Sustainability Skills for The Workforce and Environmental Sustainability Skills for Managers programmes have already generated interest across the region.

They aim to provide leaders and staff with an understanding of strategic constraints and opportunities that environmental sustainability can provide.

Lecturer Peter Laurence says given the national focus on companies lowering their carbon footprint, and wellbeing and health and safety, it is a natural next step for them to pursue these qualifications.

“The courses are suited to all sectors, as all sectors have environmental targets – to different degrees – and are trying to do more to become sustainable,” he added.

“These flexible courses will look at risk and impact, challenges and opportunities and help organisations shape their strategies long-term, whether that’s in a bid to achieve net zero status – given the UK Government’s target of being net zero by 2050 – or primarily to improve their current working practices.”

Modules also highlight the importance of resource efficiency; the impact of environmental sustainability across the value chain; the impacts of pollution, prevention, control, and environmental legislation in organisations, and how employees support environmental sustainability.

Peter said: “The courses are over one and two days so it’s a small commitment timewise for what is such an important factor for any industry. They are taught remotely but can also be held in person if requested.

“We will be running them throughout the year and are the only college in the area doing so, so we hope to see even more interest in the months ahead from individuals and organisations.”

The programmes are free to anyone eligible for PLA (Personal Learning Account) funding: over 19 years of age, self-employed, or employed and earning under £29,534 per year.

A YouGov poll commissioned by IEMA found that 56% of the British public had not heard of green jobs, with 62% not understanding what the term green skills meant, and 65% said they didn’t have any access to green skills training.

Sarah Mukherjee MBE, CEO of IEMA, said: “I’d really like to encourage people to sign up to these courses. To tackle the climate crisis, we must have a workforce equipped with the training to transition to a greener economy. We need green skills in every sector of the economy.”