Experienced IEMA members in the West of Scotland region are being urged to share their knowledge with new environmentalists
The IEMA West of Scotland steering group held a survey of members in their area during 2011. With environmental professionals playing a key role in helping businesses achieve less wasteful, less polluting and lower carbon intensive activities, the West of Scotland group is keen to support its members’ development and the survey was held to help direct future activity in this area.
The survey sought members’ opinions on a number of issues such as: willingness to share their knowledge and expertise with other members; level of interest in involvement in the IEMA mentoring scheme and potential topics for future West of Scotland events.
Around 22% of the regional membership completed the survey and the steering group would like to thank all those who took the time and trouble to provide responses.
Sharing knowledge
Just over half (52%) of those surveyed indicated that they would like to become involved in the IEMA mentoring scheme, a very positive result. Of those members, 81% said they wanted to be a mentee and 35% said they would be interested in becoming a mentor.
“This demonstrates a very real demand for mentors to volunteer their time to allow less experienced members to benefit from their expert skills and knowledge,” said Rupert Carrick, a member of the West of Scotland steering group.
“In addition to helping individuals progress to higher membership levels, becoming a mentor can provide evidence of career development across a number of areas of the competency framework.”
IEMA is actively working to increase the number of mentors available UK-wide and, if you are interested in becoming involved either as a mentor or mentee, further information on the scheme is available at: www.iema.net/full/mentoring.
Local assets
More than two-thirds of those surveyed (68%) were aware of the Scotland West steering group, and just over half (52%) were aware of its function. However, almost 60% of those surveyed were unsure how to obtain further information on the group and its members.
“This is an issue that the group takes very seriously and is currently working with IEMA to resolve,” said Rupert.
For IEMA members in the region, the details of the Steering Group members are posted on the IEMA website and if you have any questions you can contact the group by emailing: [email protected]
IEMA is currently redeveloping and refreshing its website and by early 2012, there will be a dedicated steering group area providing summary and contact information on each of the regional groups including information on each group’s members and their contact details. Further updates from IEMA regarding this development are expected during 2012.
More than 28% of the members surveyed reported that they had attended a social networking event and feedback suggested that members would like to see more of these events.
Following on from this, the West of Scotland steering group is actively developing a programme incorporating social networking opportunities for 2012. Upcoming events in the West of Scotland region will be posted on the IEMA events pages.
Thanks to Allan Brown
The IEMA Scotland West steering group would like to take this opportunity to say goodbye to Allan Brown, who represented the view of industry on the group, during his days at Spirit AeroSystems.
Allan has retired from the group after more than 10 years’ service, including no less than two stints as chair of the group, being the IEMA council representative for a period, and trying to retire previously but being persuaded (gently!) to stay.
Allan has brought commitment, good sense and an ability to share his experiences of the operational history of IEMA since the days of the EARA. Wearing both health and safety and environmental hats, he has also been instrumental in opening up IEMA members to IOSH events, through joint-partnership work in the region.
Game for site visits to his base in Prestwick, as well as filling in last-minute as an “industry interview” victim when a speaker has had to call off last-minute at an event, Allan has been a team player and always humble about his contribution.
Fiona Becker, chair IEMA Scotland West, said: “It has been a pleasure working with Allan over the past few years and on behalf of the IEMA West steering group we wish him well in his retirement.”
