IEMA is set to launch a new membership structure on 13 June, together with a revised skills map, website, policy on continuing professional development (CPD) and new branding.
The structure has been under review since feedback in 2013 revealed that the existing levels do not always accurately reflect the knowledge, experience and responsibilities of members’ roles.
Members said IEMA needed to narrow the wide gap between Associate and Full membership so that upgrading was compelling, rewarding and worthwhile.
Feedback from universities and employers also suggested that the institute needed to adapt its Graduate membership to better reflect the years of learning and knowledge accrued through study.
Meanwhile, IEMA’s most experienced members, Full members and Fellows, said their membership should change in order to remain relevant and valuable as their careers progressed.
Finally, with IEMA’s vision to transform the world to sustainability and some ambitious growth targets for 2016, it was deemed essential to make joining at Affiliate or Student level more attractive and relevant for non-specialists who need access to the information and learning the institute offers.
The updated skills map supports the new structure and ensures sustainability is fully embedded into all members’ career paths, while a more robust approach to CPD will support and evidence each member’s annual learning and development. The changes also provide an opportunity to refresh the IEMA brand with a more dynamic and modern feel, and to launch the institute’s new website.
IEMA chief executive Tim Balcon said: ‘It may have felt like IEMA has gone rather quiet during the past six month. I can assure you it is because we have been working very hard to finish the job of reviewing our membership levels, a job that started with your feedback about what you want membership to mean. This is a very exciting time for our membership, but the ripples of our collective action will go way beyond our immediate community. What we are doing, which I believe is breaking the mould of professional body memberships, is about creating the right foundations for a truly 21st century profession to achieve our goals.’
On 13 June, the gulf between Associate (AIEMA) and Full membership will close. The gap will be bridged by a new Practitioner (PIEMA) level, providing an opportunity for more than 8,000 members who have already achieved AIEMA status to automatically upgrade their membership with no further application, assessment or interview.
PIEMA is designed to reflect the level of knowledge and experience of members who have responsibilities for environment and sustainability at a practical level. Conversations with employers confirms it is this level that recruiters are now looking for. It adds a new stop on the membership journey before members go on to achieve Full status.
Associate membership will remain the entry point for those building a career in environment and sustainability. It will have a new standard that is fit for the future and is suitable for individuals who have gained some on-the-job experience in preparation for their future career.
The new look Graduate membership will be aligned with the Associate level and will provide a professionally recognised academic route into the profession to complement the AIEMA vocational pathway. Under the new structure, Graduate members will, for the first time, be entitled to demonstrate a professional suffix on their CV – GradIEMA.
Full and Fellow levels will have new standards. These will be rolled out later in the year. The requirements and rewards of being a Full or Fellow member have been amended to be more relevant and attractive to those who have achieved significant knowledge and experience in the environment and sustainability profession. It is for leaders: those who have the power to influence, want access to a high level network of like-minded professionals and who are seeking opportunities to give back to the profession.
Meanwhile, the benefits of Affiliate and Student membership will be far easier to understand and access to help more people join the IEMA network and take advantage of its resources and opportunities.
IEMA will be writing to all members this month and in early June to let everyone know how the changes will benefit them.
Visit iema.net more information and to find a helpful list of FAQs.
