In a new initiative to champion sustainability, Eastleigh College is supporting businesses of all sizes to lead change within their organisation to become smarter, more successful and more sustainable enterprises. Any organisation can take part in the programme, whether small, medium or large, and any employee can become a sustainability champion.

The ‘Sustainability Champion’ role description has been designed in partnership with some of our employer partners and employer representative groups of which we are members. Joanne Landon, Head of Adult Learning at Eastleigh College, said: “A big component of this work has been to develop a role description and training plan for Sustainability Champions who at an organisation level may be best described as being akin to First Aiders, Mental Health First Aiders, Dignity at Work advisors – essentially a role that complements organisational priorities but one that sits alongside a staff member’s substantive post”.

Mickiela Blake, Head of HR and Talent Development, said: “Employees with a passion for sustainability can be strong facilitators of reform in an organisation. Sustainability Champions help to promote eco-friendly initiatives throughout an organisation and can act as environmental educators to a workforce”.

Alongside providing a role description template for organisations, Eastleigh College has also developed a training plan which includes a Level 2 Certificate in Understanding Environmental Sustainability. This 8-12 week course will train learners in important techniques to reduce environmental impact, looking at waste management, sustainable development and transport among other areas. Through this course, businesses across the Solent region will be able to follow best practice and contribute to a greener economy in the UK. Upon enrolment, learners are also provided with a Totum card and become a discounted Student Member of the Institute of Environmental Management and Assessment (IEMA).

Kevin Jones, Finance Director at Eastleigh College, said: “As an organisation, we are committed to environmental reform and this past year has seen a number of exciting initiatives introduced. These include ten new electric car charging points on site, an enhanced Cycle to Work scheme and over £450,000 of new eco Salix funding approved through the PSDS. We have also become partners with IEMA to enable green skills provision across the Solent region. This partnership will further provide all our Sustainability Champions with opportunities to complete additional recognised IEMA training”.

Nicky Tramaseur, Head of Brand, Engagement and Learner Recruitment at Eastleigh College, commented on our new Sustainability Champion programme: “The exciting sustainability advancements that we have made this year as a College ensures that our new Sustainability Champion programme is providing the best possible quality training and will no doubt prove to be an asset to businesses across the South going forward. Our recent attendance at the Southampton ‘Big Sustainability Expo’  has been a great opportunity to meet and speak with businesses that share our passion for creating foundations for a sustainable future. We look forward to working with these organisations in the future as we continue to promote green enhancements across the Solent region.”

To register your interest in our Sustainability Champion programme, please contact Nicky Tramaseur at ntramaseur@eastleigh.ac.uk.

For any further queries, please contact the College at BeBetter@eastleigh.ac.uk.