Make a Difference to the Future of the Planet
Many people care about the environment but may not be in a position to do a lot to change it other than through recycling and making informed purchase choices.
There are however opportunities to work in positions here you can play a greater role in environmental decision-making and long-term outcomes.
This course is a great way to learn about key environmental issues and the science behind them. Use it as a springboard into environmental management positions and start making a difference.
Become an Environmental Officer
Do you have an interest in science, conservation and ecologically sustainable development?
If so, seize the opportunity to learn more and hone your skills and knowledge.
This course will help you to:
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Learn the skills needed to improve the quality our environment
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Understand environmental management systems
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Assess (audit) natural environments and the impacts on them
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Manage environmental waste
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Manage water
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Manage the physical environment
This course recognises and works to develop all of these skills.
Finish the course and you could go on to be:
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Environmental technician
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Environmental technical officer
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Catchment management officer
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Environmental advisory officer
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Consultant
This course provides students with the opportunity to develop those "in demand" skills needed for career entry and progression - without having to take time out from work or other commitments in order to study. This course also allows you the flexibility to choose from a wide range of electives so that you can tailor your course to suit your needs.
The course tutors are skilled professionals who are fully qualified in the various subject areas. In addition, they combine their qualifications with many years of actual practical experience.
We make public the qualifications and experience of all of our tutors - this way you are fully informed of their credentials.
Modules
Note that each module in the Advanced Certificate in Environmental Studies is a short course in its own right, and may be studied separately.
What You Will Do
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Visit, observe and undertake research into different environments
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Practice hands on skills that are important to identifying and analysing components of environments including animals, plants, soils, etc
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Network with industry professionals, suppliers, public and private enterprises and others who are involved in environmental and sustainability industries
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Undertake minor and more significant reseach, developing your professional and scientific research skills
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Develop skills that provide "real" work opportunities for environment professionals (which unfortunately are not always covered in other courses)
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Learn to conduct and write up environmental assessments
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Learn to work to specification when addressing environmental problems (by undertaking Problem Based Learning Projects)
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Read, investigate, discuss, and formulate informed perceptions and opinions about a wide range of environmental concepts and ideas
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Attend meetings, trade shows, seminars and/or conferences that are relevant to the environmental profession
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Interact with and learn from a range of highly qualified and experienced environmental professionals who act as your tutors, either via email, phone, mail and/or in person
LEARN PRACTICAL SKILLS
DEVELOP ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT WORK & BUSINESS PROSPECTS
Climate change, species extinction, pollution, emissions trading schemes (ETS's) and "greening" economies are the catch-phrases and concerns of informed people worldwide. New employment opportunities are constantly emerging in this field but, despite this continuing growth, many graduates in the environmental sciences still find that a job eludes them. Often this is because their studies have not covered the subjects and skills which are in fact providing the employment opportunities.
Where Might this Course Lead?
Environmental management is an industry that promises a growth in opportunity over the coming decades. Despite this fact though, graduates from environmental courses do often find it difficult to gain the employment they hoped for. One must ask why?
Having an understanding of the environment is not enough in itself, to guarantee a long term career.
Some types of environmental jobs tend to be more likely dependent upon government funding; and the availability of those jobs will increase and decrease as public funding increases and decreases. Other jobs however, are more likely to always be there, and some of those more "stable" opportunities are going to offer graduates a more secure future. Consider things such as "renewable energy", "land management", "waste management", "routine environmental assessment", "wildlife management", "teaching" and "media".
To secure a future career, you need to:
- Undertake studies that will give you a mix of skills that will always be in demand
- Undertake a mix of studies that will differentiate you from your competition
- Build your networks/contacts within industry
- Build communication and management skills. Learn to write well, and efficiently. Learn to manage projects. Learn to work to specification.
This and other ACS courses helps develop your "employability" in these and other ways; more so than some other schools.
Make Sure You Learn Environmental Assessment
Conducting environmental assessments is a significant area of employment for graduates; and yet many of the courses that have taught environmental management in the past, have not included this area of study.
This Proficiency Award has recognised that fact; and that is why this is a compulsory module.
Types of Environmental Assessment
Some environmental assessments are mandatory (required by law), while others may be optional.
Governments increasingly are requiring environmental assessments (eg. Environmental impact statements) before they will make planning decisions.
When asked to conduct an assessment, an environmental consultant may have to examine more than just the environmental or physical impacts of a development.
Consultants may need to look at the social, economic and demographic consequences of the proposal. Environmental assessments will also vary depending on which country you are in and the type of change or development that is proposed.
The following provides just some indication of the broad scope of this field.
- Demographic Impact Assessment
- Development Impact Assessment
- Ecological Impact Assessment
- Economic and Fiscal Impact Assessment
- Environmental Audit
- Health Impact Assessment
- Strategic Impact Assessment
- Environmental Impact Assessment
- Environmental Impact Statement
- Environmental Risk Assessment
- Social Impact Assessment
- Climate Impact Assessment
Consider other types of assessment that might not be on this list.
The environmental industry is rapidly changing!
... if you keep your studies broad; your employment options will be more sustainable.
GETTING YOUR CAREER ON THE RIGHT PATH
You don't become a competent environmental professional by undertaking quickie short courses
A solid career needs a solid foundation; and the more hours of study you do, the better your foundation.
It takes time to learn properly and embed knowledge into your mind; and it takes a properly constructed learning experience supported by capable and knowledgeable educators.
Formal education is however only part of what is needed. You also need experience, motivation, an awareness of industry opportunities, and the right attitude to take advantage of opportunities that arise.
If your studies have developed a proper foundation; you will enter the workforce with a network of contacts, an awareness of opportunities, and you will continue learning afterwards, through experience
An extensive course like this is probably going to make your career development faster, easier and more appropriate; provided you approach your career with realistic expectations.
This is the path we strive to set you on!
There are lots of opportunities in the field of Environmental Management, despite the fact that you may sometimes hear about unemployed environmental graduates. Research has indicated that often the issue of unemployment has more to do with graduates having over inflated expectations; rather than any lack of employment prospects.
What career opportunities are available?
Opportunities for people with experience in Environmental Management are vast, given that environmental considerations are an integral component of countless industries. By studying this course, you may find jobs in the following industries:
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Environmental Assessment
- Environmental Protection
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Teaching
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Resource Management
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Alternative Energy
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Ecotourism
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Media
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Consulting
- Construction
- Government Departments
- Mining
- Oil and Gas
- Manufacturing
- Utilities
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