All jobs greener course works for housing group

IEMA's "all jobs greener" training scheme took another step forward on 13 November as the first "working with environmental sustainability" course took place

The course, which aims to equip the entire operational workforce of any organisation with the kind of environmental knowledge that allows them to contribute to its sustainability targets, was run for the first time by Walsall Housing Group (whg). Ten employees from the housing provider subsequently became the first to receive the City & Guilds qualification at whg’s head office in Walsall, and they are all now using their new knowledge to help the group achieve its environmental ambitions.

IEMA’s head of partnerships, Jonathan Nobbs, who attended the course to meet the first delegates, said: “It was really satisfying to see these 10 people not only get a qualification through our ‘all jobs greener’ scheme, but gain useful and practical knowledge about how their role can positively impact on whg’s environmental goals. I think whg have demonstrated some real leadership in supplying the right training for their staff.”

Nobbs also praised consultancy ESP (Environmental Solutions through Partnership), whose director of environmental systems and training, Andrew Fletcher, delivered the course. “I’m very pleased that the Institute has been able to work with ESP to deliver the course at whg,” said Nobbs.

The “working with environmental sustainability” course is a level 2 qualification (equivalent to a BTEC first diploma) and is offered by whg’s skills centre, which is based in Leamore and runs several City & Guilds accredited vocational qualifications.

Jane Preece, director of organisational development at whg, commented: “We are delighted that the skills centre has been accepted to deliver this qualification, which is the first of its kind in the UK. It shows our commitment to partnership working with IEMA and ESP, and is in line with our corporate aim to reduce the environmental impact of our work year on year.”

Visit iema.net/all-jobs-greener to find out more about the scheme and how the training could benefit the workforce in your organisation.