Skills Bootcamp in Sustainability & Environmental Management
in Cambridgeshire & Peterborough
Giving you the knowledge and confidence to excel in sustainability
The Skills Bootcamp in Sustainability & Environmental Management programme is designed to help individuals find rewarding jobs in the emerging green economy. The course also assists those already in work to advance their careers in market where sustainability and carbon literacy are essential for success in a competitive environment.
Working in partnership with Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority (CPCA), we can provide this Skills Bootcamp to individuals who live and companies who are based in Cambridgeshire (including Cambridge, East Cambridgeshire, Fenland, Huntingdonshire, Peterborough, and South Cambridgeshire). Skills Bootcamps are free, flexible courses of up to 16 weeks, giving people the opportunity to build up sector-specific skills and an offer of an interview with an employer upon completion.
Apply here Download the Course Guide
What does the course include?
This course combines the skills and knowledge from the IEMA Foundation to Environmental Management course, the popular Carbon Literacy programme, the Sustainability Leadership Skills programme, and other sustainability topics, meaning learners could walk away with three course certificates*, to help kickstart or continue their careers in sustainability.
Graduates from the programme will also receive a fully-funded, one-year associate membership to IEMA, student membership for the Chartered Institute for Waste Management (CIWM) during the programme and become eligible for CIWM associate membership upon completion of the course. These memberships open access to learners to further training, networking and recognised credentials.
*IEMA and Carbon Literacy are externally certified and are dependent upon completion of the full course programme and examinations.
How long is the course?
To complete the course participants must attend 60 hours of learning across 10 days. All sessions will run virtually via Teams on Thursdays, from 9:00am – 5:00pm approximately. This includes one-hour lunch break and breaks spread throughout the day. All timings within the day are subject to confirmation.
Entry requirements
There are no formal academic entry requirements for the course, however applicants must meet all of the following criteria:
- at least aged 19 on or before 31st August 2024,
- be living or working in the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough region
- have the Right to Work in the UK
There are different employment outcomes expected when you complete the bootcamp, depending on your entry route. To be eligible for this Skills Bootcamp, upon and within 6 months of completion you agree to:
For jobseekers: obtain an interview and gain employment in a paid, relevant role (support provided).
For Employed with financial support to participate from current employer: your employer will agree for you to transition to a new or different role within your organisation where you can apply the skills you gained in the course.
Self-Employed: aim to gain new contracts or business that utilises the skills gained through providing a business development plan (support provided); or, obtain an interview for a paid role or apprenticeship.
How much does it cost?
Funding for individuals depends on the criteria below, Skills Bootcamps are fully funded* for learners thanks to funding from the Department of Education (UKGOV):
| Employment status | Funding | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Unemployed | 100% Funded | Free |
| Self Employed** | 100% Funded | Free |
| Employed (SME, under 250 FTE) | 90% Funded | £350 for the employer |
| Employed (Large Organisation, over 250 FTE) | 70% Funded | £1050 for the employer |
*with a cost to the employer if the individual is employed
**evidence of your HMRC Self-Employment status will be required to confirm your access to full funding.
Curriculum & timings
January Cohort
| Day 1 | 16/01/2025 | Introduction to the Skills Bootcamp Sustainability Leadership Skills: Growth & Development |
| Day 2 | 23/01/2025 | Carbon Literacy Training |
| Day 3 | 30/01/2025 | IEMA Day 1: Setting the scene, our impact and what is climate change? |
| Day 4 | 06/02/2025 | IEMA Day 2: Defining a sustainable organisation and how business practices can address impact on our planet |
| Day 5 | 13/02/2025 | IEMA Day 3: Environmental policy, regulations and compliance |
| Break week | ||
| Day 6 | 27/02/2025 | IEMA Day 4: Carbon footprints, data and reporting |
| Day 7 | 06/03/2025 | IEMA Day 5: Environmental management systems and auditing |
| Day 8 | 13/03/2025 | IEMA Course Summary & Live Exam |
| Day 9 | 20/03/2025 | Sustainability Leadership Skills: Mindset for Change |
| Day 10 | 27/03/2025 | Sustainability Leadership Skills: Engagement & Impact |
March Cohort [Fast track]
| Day 1 | 10/03/2025 | Introduction to the Skills Bootcamp Sustainability Leadership Skills: Growth & Development |
| Day 2 | 11/03/2025 | Carbon Literacy Training |
| Day 3 | 12/03/2025 | IEMA Day 1: Setting the scene, our impact and what is climate change? |
| Day 4 | 17/03/2025 | IEMA Day 2: Defining a sustainable organisation and how business practices can address impact on our planet |
| Day 5 | 18/03/2025 | IEMA Day 3: Environmental policy, regulations and compliance |
| Day 6 | 20/03/2025 | IEMA Day 4: Carbon footprints, data and reporting |
| Day 7 | 24/03/2025 | IEMA Day 5: Environmental management systems and auditing |
| Day 8 | 25/03/2025 | IEMA Course Summary & Live Exam |
| Day 9 | 26/03/2025 | Sustainability Leadership Skills: Mindset for Change |
| Day 10 | 27/03/2025 | Sustainability Leadership Skills: Engagement & Impact |
“This Skills Bootcamp is certainly a value addition to those looking to augment their skills, start fresh, or want to learn and pursue a career in sustainability.”
“I highly recommend this course and the delivery organisations. The whole team really made this Skills Bootcamp very insightful, engaging, participative, and fun (which is a little difficult in a virtual environment).”
“Great knowledgeable tutors and insightful variety of subjects covered. On day 1 I felt exactly in the right place, discussing and learning about sustainability with like-minded people and others eager to learn and do better to create a positive impact – tutors included! Very inspiring! I will do it all over again! Thank you!”
Meet the lead trainers
David Knight PIEMA - PECT/iiE
David is a Principal Consultant and Technical Lead at PECT & Investors in the Environment (iiE). With over 10 years experience in carbon & energy management, he leads PECT & iiE’s energy consultancy services and the development of its carbon management tools. He has worked with organisations of all sizes and from all sectors represented within the iiE membership to find successful ways to make vital changes to reduce their energy reliance and carbon emissions.
Eleanor Wills - Change Agents UK
Eleanor works as the Senior Sustainability Education Officer at sustainability education charity, Change Agents UK – a charity and not-for-profit, has helped thousands of students and young people to forge their career in sustainability over 27 years. In her role, she develops and delivers training across sustainability awareness and skills, including their flagship Sustainability Leadership Skills Programme. She has created and delivered bespoke training for senior management teams, Human Resources staff, students, jobseekers, and individuals from across organisations who want to become more able and empowered to be part of the green transition. With a BSc Environmental Science, Eleanor is a certified Carbon Literacy Trainer, Climate Fresk Facilitator, Biodiversity Collage Facilitator, and Internal Environmental Auditor.
Frequently asked questions
All materials will be issued digitally. However, hard copies of the materials can be requested. Please notify us at the time of booking so we can arrange for a copy to be issued via the post.
To receive Carbon Literacy certification, there is an Evidence Form to complete and return. For the IEMA course, there is a multiple-choice exam. Your exam link will be sent shortly before the start of your exam window. Details of your exam window will be confirmed when you are sent your course materials.
If you are no longer able to make a session, recordings of the session and course material will be sent to you digitally. We strongly recommend attendance to all sessions to gain the most from the training, and be in the best position for the final tasks/ examinations.
Ready to sign up?
Fill in our enrolment form to confirm your eligibility & reserve your place
Want to find out more?
If you have any questions, or would like to discuss the course over the phone, please give us a call on 01572 723419 (Change Agents UK). Alternatively, fill in the form below and a member of the team will be in touch.
