TSW Training and Aspen Waite announce a partnership to deliver sustainable business consultancy and IEMA environmental sustainability training.

On 1 February 2022, TSW Training and Aspen Waite announced a partnership to deliver sustainable business consultancy and IEMA environmental sustainability training, via the Sustain project.

Sustain is a new service that brings SMEs environmental policies and green credentials up to best practice standards. Sustain is an outsourced multi-disciplinary team for SMEs, which helps them profitably transition to net-zero and gain a competitive advantage. TSW Training will supply training expertise via four accredited IEMA courses.

Critical skills development for manufacturing, engineering and health and safety

TSW Training is a training and apprenticeships provider working with both individuals and brands, from all over the UK. Founded in 1966, it specialises in continuous professional development in engineering, manufacturing and health and safety, with industry-led trainers at the helm of every training programme.

IEMA – a professional body for everyone working in environment and sustainability – is its latest offering of accredited qualifications. The suite of four environmental courses on offer will enable skills and knowledge that drive sustainable professions, ensuring business resilience, productivity and growth.

The four courses will put businesses on the right path to achieve net-zero and become suppliers of choice for large customers required to declare their carbon footprint. Discover each course below:

• IEMA Environmental Sustainability Skills For The Workforce
• IEMA Environmental Sustainability Skills For Managers

• IEMA Foundation Certificate In Environmental Management
• IEMA Certificate in Environmental Management

“Now is the right time to invest in green credentials to preserve their business and create new opportunities,” explains TSW Training’s Head Of Corporate Relations, Gareth Harris.

“If small and medium businesses are part of a supply chain, or tendering for large contracts, they will soon be asked to demonstrate green transition, if they aren’t already. We want every business in Wales to be aware of the pivotal industry change that’s on the horizon, and access training that will improve their resilience, productivity and mobility.”

Identifying a large carbon footprint within supply chains

To meet Carbon Neutral 2050 and cut emissions 75% by 2035, large PLCs are auditing their environmental impact to measure and control carbon excesses.

From 6 April 2022, more than 1,300 of the largest UK-registered companies will be required to disclose climate-related financial information on a mandatory basis.^[1]  

Conversely, SMEs are only prompted to sign a voluntary commitment via the UK Business Climate Hub. There is no legislation compelling SMEs to take specific actions around their Greenhouse gas emissions. Last year there were 207,000 private sector businesses in Wales alone, but in January 2022, only 2,678 businesses UK wide have signed up for the Business Climate Change Hub.

Without legislation compelling emission-reducing action, few SMEs realise that commercial ties will be severed based on lack of green credentials or carbon neutral strategy. For example, in September 2021, Tesco announced that 90% of the retailer’s total emissions footprint came from its supply chain, and 100 of its largest suppliers reduced their manufacturing emissions by 20%. To measure its footprint, it contacted its suppliers to ask for support in the transition to a low carbon economy.^[2] 

Director Aspen Waite in Wales, David Scheeres, explains: “The SME sector comprises 60% of the workforce and 50% of the turnover of UK PLC. SMEs are a major emitter of greenhouse gases, but they fly under the radar. There is no legislation compelling them to review their processes and policies, which would get their greenhouse gas emissions under control and make them an appealing partner for scrutinised PLCs.

“The opportunity here is for SME’s who understand the long-term implications of transitioning to sustainable business to enhance their attractiveness to larger organisations who are increasingly looking at the sustainability credentials of their supply chain. Third party validation will become necessary to confirm the integrity of a sustainability statement, this is how TSW Training and Aspen Waite can assist.”

Supporting SMEs to measure, control and report their greenhouse gas emissions

The partnership between TSW Training and Aspen Waite will give SMEs a package of support, which not only identifies where measures can be applied but enhance in-house abilities to maintain green environmental standards.

“Most SMEs aren’t aware that environmental training will protect their business interests in the coming years, and create many more opportunities to grow,” says Harris. “With the right support and expertise from projects like Sustain and IEMA training courses, SMEs in Wales can measure, control and report on their carbon use, protecting their interests as we move closer to the overarching deadlines of net-zero in 2035 and 2050.”

To register your interest for Sustain, or the IEMA courses, visit https://www.tsw.co.uk/blog/tsw-news/iema-environmental-courses/