Institute of Sustainability and Environmental Professionals training centre | News

July 2025

Officially an Institute of Sustainability and Environmental Professionals training centre

By Claire Huggins

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Following last week’s exciting rebranding announcement from the Institute of Sustainability and Environmental Professionals (ISEP), formerly the Institute of Environmental Management and Assessment (IEMA), we are thrilled to announce we have achieved accreditation as an ISEP training centre.

The Institute of Sustainability and Environmental Professionals (ISEP) has, for 25 years, acted as a global professional body for those working in the areas of environment and sustainability, its membership comprising business, government and academic institutions.

Achieving this accreditation reflects the growing importance of ensuring sustainability in the education sector for staff, students and partners. For the University, it additionally underlines a commitment to decarbonise campuses, reform procurement and restore nature. The accreditation also empowers us to rethink the curricula, giving students the most relevant content for a future in a workplace, grounded in principles of sustainability.

It is a recognition that facilitates the delivery of in-house, industry-standard training in sustainability, not just for students, but, ultimately, for the wider community, alongside continuing professional development for members of staff, including courses on Net Zero and Sustainability Skills for the Workforce, amongst others.

Membership gives the University greater autonomy over course selection, as it can self-certify its sustainability specific courses and modules, giving students the opportunity to take industry-accredited degree level modules as they prepare for future-proofed careers in industry. The provision will also present staff with the chance to upskill through online and in-person education, leading to them becoming ISEP trainers, qualified in the delivery of sustainable course content.

"This will help to prepare students to enter employment with the requisite skills for an ever-evolving, sustainable work environment."

Ashlea Mallett Head of Sustainability and Campus Services

The initiative to embed this ethos into our practices will be led by Ashlea Mallett, Head of Sustainability and Campus Services, Avantika Bhargava, Sustainability and Campus Services Co-ordinator, Maddie Booth, Specialist Sustainability Education Consultant, and Michelle Callanan, Chair of our Sustainability Steering Board - Curriculum Working Group. Ashlea said: “This certification is incredibly important as it embeds high quality sustainability knowledge and skills into our staff development, as well as adding additional opportunities for advancement for students during their time at University College Birmingham.

“This will help to prepare students to enter employment with the requisite skills for an ever-evolving, sustainable work environment and further contributes to our already strong industrial relationships.”