LMC launch innovative qualification in Sustainability & Environmental Education

Curriculum leaders at LMC have responded to the Department for Education’s (DfE) sustainability strategy for education by developing an innovative Level 5 qualification for teachers, lecturers, young people’s workers and support staff.

The Sustainability & Environmental Education Certificate will address the DfE’s requirement for climate change education to be embedded into all schools and colleges, and is especially relevant for those undertaking the Sustainability Lead role in their institution.

The innovative new course, which has been developed by LMC’s Sustainability Lead, Maggie Cawthorn, can be studied either on-line or in the classroom, and will cover a wide range of topics including;

• climate change and equality
• biodiversity
• sustainable food production
• renewable energy
• sustainable transport and decarbonisation

Maggie, who has previously delivered a Level 4 course in Teaching & Learning for Sustainable Development at LMC, is excited to be launching the Level 5 certificate, which she feels will support educators to embed key environmental messages across their curriculum.

After the success of last year’s L4 course, which was attended by teachers, lecturers, careers leaders and support staff from across a wide number of Lancashire-based schools, colleges and HE institutions, LMC has developed this new qualification in response to requests for a more indepth programme of study.  The L5 certificate will give a broad understanding of environmental issues and of good practice in education, providing excellent career development for anyone who works within the sector – not just teaching staff.

A number of LMC staff (pictured below) completed the Level 4 Teaching & Learning for Sustainable Development certificate last year, including tutors from Catering & Hospitality, Business & Management, Travel & Tourism and Child Education, and they are now adapting some of their course content to reflect the knowledge and skills they gained.  

However, it isn’t just curriculum staff who have benefitted from the course; LMC’s School & Community Engagement Coordinator, Ash Robinson, and the Head of Engagement and Careers Lead, Victoria Carter, both completed the course in the summer, and have already started to embed some of the learning into the College’s careers programme.

As the Careers Lead at LMC, I want to ensure that we reflect the changes happening locally, regionally, nationally and internationally, so our learners can pursue careers that positively contribute to sustainability. Many of the jobs that our young people will progress into over the next 10 years don’t even exist yet, so equipping them with a broad understanding of the changing employment landscape is crucial. We live in an area where renewable energy and “green” jobs are thriving, and we want to ensure our learners are equipped with the knowledge, skills and behaviours to progress into their chosen career.

The new Level 5 certificate will provide an in-depth look at a range of environmental issues, and can be accessed either on-line, or in face-to-face sessions on campus. Classes start in October and the course is fully-funded through the College’s UKSPF Employer Hub project, for people living or working within the Lancaster City Council district.