Supporting business during their green transition

Pictured at the Green Skills Awards Ceremony at the Cork College of FET Bishopstown Campus, Bishopstown, are Green Skills graduates, Martina Golden, Deirdre O'Mahony, Danile Crowley, Niall O'Connor, Cormac O'Connell, John Healy, Louise MacAvin, Carmel O'Sullivan, Alison Gaynor, Blaithin O'Shea, Margaret Clarke and Debra Davies. (Picture: Jim Coughlan)

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 at the Cork College of FET- Bishopstown Campus, recently celebrated their qualification.

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.

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 aim 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.

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.”

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.

FURTHER COURSES

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 or visit https://www.corketb.ie/fet