Sustainability training
Specialist training is available which can help you reduce your carbon emissions and operate in a more efficient way.
Find out what kind of courses are offered and where you can sign up for one.
Sustainability training
Sustainability means operating your business in a way that protects the environment as well as keeping your business economically viable.
Training topics can include:
- carbon footprint analysis and management
- waste management
- energy awareness and action
- renewable technologies
Do an online search to find out about sustainability training courses offered nationwide.
Most courses are offered online. Both accredited and non-accredited options are available.
Green Skills Bootcamps
Green skills are the broad range of technical skills, knowledge, behaviours and capabilities that we need to develop and support a sustainable society.
Green Skills Bootcamps are designed to provide industry relevant training and sector-based skills to support net zero carbon targets. They are part of the UK Government’s Lifetime Skills Guarantee.
The bootcamps are flexible training courses up to 16 weeks, with a guaranteed job interview (where a candidate is being recruited to a new job) or new opportunities.
Training is free to individuals or those who are self-employed as long as they are:
- over 19 as of the 31st August 2022
- have the right to live and work in the UK
For SMEs, the training cost is 90% funded, requiring a 10% contribution.
Visit GOV UK to find a green skills bootcamp in your area.
Employers can use the list of Skills Bootcamps training providers to find local colleges and providers to work with.
Online sustainability-related courses
There are many universities and organisations that offer free online courses on sustainability, such as:
- Business Energy Scotland Green Champions Training Course – a free continuous professional development (CPD) Certified online training course for Scottish organisations.
- Climate Fit is a free online training course to help SMEs reduce their carbon emissions and join the collective race to net zero.
- EdX is a massive open online course (MOOC) platform that offers courses related to climate change, sustainability, and environmental sciences. It collaborates with renowned institutions like Harvard, MIT, and others to provide high-quality educational content.
- Free Courses in England offers fully-funded online courses on environmental sustainability.
- Heart of the City’s Climate for SME’s: 4 Steps to Action is a free online toolkit especially for SMEs. Businesses can use the practical resources to measure their carbon footprint and create an action plan that will eventually get them to net zero.
- The Open University offers free OpenLearn courses that are available to start right away, such as Sustainable innovations in enterprises.
- Scottish Business Climate Collaboration’s Climate Action Hub Learning Pathway is a free e-Learning series containing 12 short modules for Scottish enterprises.
- Sustainable Development Goals Academy offers free online courses on various sustainability topics, including climate change, renewable energy, sustainable cities, and more.