IEMA and the training arm of the Building Research Establishment, BRE Academy, have signed an agreement under which the two organisations collaborate to develop and deliver industry-relevant sustainability training courses.
These will be embedded into both higher and further education programmes to provide graduates with market-ready qualifications and support employers in their recruitment process.
The collaboration between the two organisations will play a key role in IEMA’s current campaign, “Skills for a sustainable economy: preparing for the perfect storm”, which aims to highlight the critical need for environment and sustainability skills in businesses worldwide.
The BRE Academy provides high quality, world-class training and education programmes, which are developed and delivered in partnership between BRE and industry experts such as IEMA. It aims to lead the construction industry by delivering educational excellence, address the knowledge and skills gap, develop the next generation of skilled operatives and professionals, as well as deliver accessible and practical continuing professional development and lifelong learning programmes.
Tim Balcon, IEMA chief executive, said: “Training and education provision is a key service, which we provide for our 15,000-strong global membership, who are focused on driving more sustainable practices and standards across all sectors. Our collaboration with the BRE Academy will enable us to offer new skills programmes with a focus on the built environment, which plays such an integral part of every business and industry as well as the economy.”
Pauline Traetto, director of the BRE Academy, commented: “As an organisation BRE shares very similar goals and values to IEMA. We want to make a positive difference and reduce adverse impacts on the environment for the benefit of people and the commercial world. We are delighted to work with IEMA in this way and develop targeted and applicable training programmes for educational institutes and industry.”
The partners are looking at developing courses covering the challenges of delivering a more sustainable and resilient built environment, as the effects of climate change are felt internationally on buildings and infrastructure.