Cork College of FET- Bishopstown Campus recently celebrated the first group of graduates from the Level 5 Environmental Sustainability in the Workplace programme, one of the Green Skills micro qualifications developed under the Skills to Advance initiative.
Skills to Advance is a SOLAS initiative which provides subsidised upskilling for companies and those in employment. The Green Skills micro qualification suite of programmes aims to boost awareness of the key environmental sustainability issues that affect employers and employees and to equip them with the skills to make a positive contribution to sustainability in the workplace. The programmes are being developed by the Education and Training Boards (ETBs), and SOLAS in collaboration with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI), Irish Water, IDA Ireland, Enterprise Ireland and Regional Skills Fora. Cork ETB was heavily involved in the programme design of the level 4 and the level 5 in Environmental Sustainability programmes.
This is the first group of graduates to receive a certificate in the Level 5 Environmental Sustainability in the Workplace programme. Over the course of the programme graduates learned how take steps to help their business to make the green transition and to increase sustainability.
Speaking on the day, Valerie Cowman, Manager of Cork College of FET- Bishopstown Campus said “The Green Skills micro qualifications are an excellent path for a company beginning their sustainability journey. Climate change and environmental sustainability are one of the most pressing issues of our time. We are delighted to be able to support companies and businesses to upskill in this area and to build capacity. Well done to all the graduates today for taking that first step on the journey and for showing the leadership to engage in upskilling in this vital area.”
John Fitzgibbons, Director of Further Education and Training, Cork ETB, stated that “This award is a micro qualification, a bite sized unit of learning. However, it is a micro qualification with a macro impact for your workplace and the wider community. You have the skills to help make your workplace and your home more sustainable into the future.”
Mary Lyons Director, Enterprise, Employees and Skills in SOLAS praised the graduates saying “Skills to Advance is designed to upskill employees and develop the skills needed for the future. Well done on completing this course. You are champions for sustainability in your workplace and in your region. Cork is in a prime position to lead the way in the green economy.”
Cork College of FET- Bishopstown Campus are expanding their range of Green Skills micro qualifications, with more courses being launched before the end of the year. To find out more about the courses or how the Green Skills micro qualifications can help boost your business contact skillstoadvance@corketb.ie