If you are interested in becoming an IEMA Approved Course Provider, or you are an existing Course Provider and would like to develop your course portfolio, please contact our training team at: training@iema.net or Tel: 01522 540069. You can download a PDF about becoming an Approved Provider here. Become an IEMA Training Provider

IEMA Approved Training providers use this logo:

Training - Frequently Asked Questions

1. Who can become an Approved Course Provider?

   Whether you are an inter-company training department, local authority, an educational establishment or a private training provider – you can seek approval. The important thing is that you have sufficient environmental experience to develop a course around one of IEMA’s syllabus or indeed establish your own syllabus and course material providing the course contents assist to underpin the aims of IEMA and the environmental sector.

2. What are the benefits of becoming an Approved Course Provider?

   Industry recognition by delivering courses approved by the leading institute for environmental professionals as well as providing quality training and development for a growth sector. Your courses and details will be advertised on the IEMA webpage which has a high visitor quota – not only by its 15,500 + members but also by employees and employers within the environmental arena. Once approved you will receive an ‘‘Approved Provider Stamp’ which can be used on marketing material and literature to further endorse your status and distinguish you from your competitors.

3. What kind of course could I get approved by IEMA?

   Pending your area of expertise this ranges from a one day CPD course to a full IEMA diploma course designed around exsisting syllabus. You may also already delivler a course which you have deisigned yourself and one that would benifit from IEMA approval. Providing the course fits well within the overall aims of IEMA we could approve this too.Top of page

4. Can I request approval for CPD courses and/or seminars?

   In broad terms ‘yes’ providing it meets industry needs. IEMA does not approve seminars but if these are relevant to members CPD the ‘supported by IEMA’ route can be requested.

5. What is the process of becoming an Approved Course Provider?

   If you would like to develop a course around an existing syllabus you should contact IEMA’s training department and IEMA staff will forward the relevant syllabus and support material to you and guide you through the process. If you are currently delivering a course not yet on the IEMA approved courses list please contact our training department as it may be suitable for approval too.

6. What qualifications and /or experience do me or my staff need to have?

   That depends on the course, but it is necessary for the deliverer to have sufficient experience and knowledge in the subject to comfortably guide delegates through the learning programme and answer questions which may arise. In addition your knowledge and experience needs to be sufficient to mark delegate assessment papers if applicable. IEMA encourages deliverers of approved courses to join the Institute at Associate Member level, in order to underpin credibility and ideally the deliverer should have a training and/or teaching qualification. However the assessment process does allow for competence based application. For the IEMA Diploma, the deliverers must be an IEMA Full member or equivilent (MIEMA).

7. My staff are competent in the environmental arena but have never delivered training before, does this prevent course approval?

   Not necessarily, but it may prolong the approval process as your staff would be expected to competently deliver and/or present. You may wish to underpin this by sending your allocated staff member on a training course or indeed you may deem it advisable to ‘buy’ in delivery skills in the short term. IEMA can assist in sourcing an experienced trainer if required.

8. My staff are competent trainers but are not experts in the environmental arena does this prevent course approval?

   This depends on the specific course in question – it may not be necessary to be an expert in a given topic but competence does need to be determined. It is important that standards are maintained throughout the industry and all current syllabi specify the deliverer required.

9. Who will assess my course material?

   IEMA Assessors are employed on a peripatetic basis and have been chosen through a rigorous selection process as well as being Full Members of the Institute or Principal Environmental Auditors.

10. What if my material has gaps?

    Any gaps will be identified by the allocated Assessor during the initial desk top audit and a report detailing supplementary requirements will be forwarded to you along with recommended guidance of how to address these gaps.

11. What documentation do I have to supply to IEMA for approval?

    For the desk top audit you are required to supply all course material envisaged to be used for the specific course. At a later stage IEMA does need to have sight of additional documents such as delegate registers and evaluation forms. These are usually viewed by the IEMA Assessor during the approval visits.

12. How long does the approval process take?

    That depends on whether you already have devised course material for existing syllabus or whether you wish to introduce a totally new course. In general terms, if all information and material is to hand, the approval process can be as speedy as 4 weeks and can be further expedited in special circumstances.

13. How much will it cost to become an Approved Course Provider?

    That depends on the course you seek approval for – the payment scales range from a one day CPD course to the IEMA Diploma and fees start at £395.00 plus VAT.

14. What does this payment include?

    For full courses a desk top gap analysis of your submitted material followed by a report recommending improvements/supplements if necessary. This is followed by ONE on site observation visit to view the delivery process and associated quality procedures. Upon successful approval IEMA will welcome your organisation via ‘The Environmentalist’ magazine and publish your details and course dates on the web site. In some cases – in particular pilot courses – the web coverage is increased to assist your marketing activities.

15. Do I automatically become a member of IEMA?

    No but IEMA encourages all Course Tutors to be members of the Institute of at least Associate Level to underpin credibility with delegates.

16. Do I have to make annual payments?

    Yes, these are charged on an annual basis at the anniversary of original course approval.

17. How often would I need to revise my material?

    It is important that material is kept up to date to ensure delegates receive current and accurate information. You are requested to periodically review your material to ensure it meets current legislation and required industry standards. IEMA will inform you if generic changes are necessary and will require sight of the materials after changes have been made.

18. How many courses could I run?

    IEMA does stipulate that you run at least one course per year and as long as you can fulfil the knowledge, quality and resource requirements there is no maximum.

19. Do I need a minimum number of delegates to run a course?

    Yes, we stipulate 4 delegates to maintain an effective format that encourages interaction and discussion.

20. What is the maximum number of delegates permitted on a course?

    We recommend 24, however some bodies such as universities are able to exceed this number if adequate provision has been made. The recommended Tutor/Delegate ratio is 1:16

21. Can I set my own course fees or are these stipulated by IEMA?

    You can set your own fees, but are advised to follow the trend and set the course fees as realistic. Severe and deliberate undercutting of existing provision or the charging of largely inflated fees would be deemed unethical by IEMA.

22. I operate internationally can I obtain IEMA approval for courses run overseas?

    Yes, the same procedure apply, but if it is an extension to an already approved course the fee is much less than the initial one. If the course is to be delivered in a foreign language it is important to remember that all course material supplied to IEMA is in English.

23. How often does IEMA audit or check my approved training activities?

    Full courses require an annual surveillance visit while CPD courses are observed at least once every three years.
    However, as part of our on going quality process IEMA does reserve the right to conduct spot check visits as and when deemed necessary. (Please note that these do not incur a charge)

24. Can I use the IEMA logo for advertising purposes?

    Yes, upon successful approval you will be issued with an ‘Approved Provider Stamp’, bearing the IEMA name. You can use it on all course and marketing material relevant to the approval status.

25. What information-documentation do I need to supply to IEMA post approval?

    It is important that IEMA keeps abreast of industry needs, standards and delegate sector information and periodically evaluates the training provision available. To do this effectively we do ask you to complete and forward a pre-set delegate course register form on a course-by-course basis.

26. How does IEMA ensure the supply of delegate details falls within the rules of the Data Protection Act?

    The information will not be shared with a third party and IEMA’s information gathering process for evaluative purposes falls under the Not for Profit exemption rules. However IEMA is registered and fully compliant with the 8 principles for Data handling as laid down by the Commission.

27. I feel there is a gap in the market can I devise a totally new course?

    Yes, providing the course is aimed at environmental professionals, assists in raising and maintaining industry related standards and underpins the aims of IEMA.

28. Can I deliver using a modular approach or do the courses have to run as a block?

    That depends on your business needs – e.g. the Associate Certificate course consists of 3 modules, you may wish to run these modules consecutively, deliver one module a month over a three months period or indeed add other modules to extend the course duration and learning outcome. You may also wish to include these modules in courses you are already delivering.

29. Can I devise a course that is industry sector specific and apply for approval?

    Yes, if the need for a particular sector has been identified and it is adding overall value to the industry by raising standards of knowledge and skills.

30. Will my material remain my property?

    All material you develop will remain your property unless otherwise agreed. This may be the case with pilot courses and/or joint ventures. However IEMA does ask you to supply all material on CD for record only. The IEMA will not be able to copy or use your material without your prior written authorisation.

31. What documentation must I ensure is completed by delegates?

    Other than your internal documentation, IEMA does require you to supply a delegate registration from.

32. My courses are approved by other bodies; can I apply for joint approval?

    Yes, providing the course is relevant.

33. If that is the case can my approval fee be reduced?

    Sorry but no – the approval procedure remains the same and internal resource costs therefore remain static.

34. If your question does not appear in this list or you would like to join please contact us.

    We hope we have supplied sufficient details to enable you to make an informed decision.
    Should you wish to join IEMA’s growing network of Approved Providers or indeed have further questions please contact us at:Institute of Environmental Management and Assessment, Saracen House, Crusader Road, City Office Park, Tritton Road, Lincoln, LN6 7AS, UK, E-mail: training@iema.net.