Proposed qualification name: Sustainable business practice

Title of programme: Creating a sustainable business

Aim of programme

To assist professional development by providing the required level of background knowledge and practical insight into the subject of sustainable development so that it can be applied by all members of any organisation

Programme structure

The programme is based on national attainment levels and is designed so that it can be introduced in stages to build up basic knowledge within an organisation. This is so that internally generated sustainable development strategies can not only be created by senior management but also be accepted and implemented with understanding by the whole organisation.

· Level 1 is designed to be part of an induction programme

· Level 2 should meet the requirements of experienced operational and administrative staff

· Level 3 should assist supervisors and first line managers

· Level 4 should inform the work of middle managers and those performing professional and specialist functions

· Level 5 is to enable directors and members of the senior management team to undertake the creative thinking necessary to respond positively to climate change and other environmental challenges.

Outcomes of the programme

To attain the given level the learner at:

Level 1: Basic sustainable work place practices

a) Will be able to identify common environmental problems that effect business

b) Can demonstrate how to reduce consumption by following good practice

c) Can demonstrate that they can avoid, minimise and reuse waste

Level 2: Delivering sustainable work place practices

a) Can demonstrate level 1 outcomes

b) Will know how business activities can contribute to local and global environmental problems

c) Can demonstrate consistent avoidance of unnecessary or harmful consumption and waste

Level 3: Managing operations sustainably

a) Can demonstrate level 2 outcomes

b) Will know how business activities can improve the local and global environment

c) Can demonstrate knowledge of products and services that can reduce consumption and waste

Level 4: Managing a sustainable organisation

a) Can demonstrate level 3 outcomes

b) Can contribute practical suggestions for the more efficient and sustainable use of local and global resources to the benefit of the business

c) Can implement sustainable development policies and plans

Level 5: Directing a sustainable organisation

a) Can demonstrate either level 4 outcomes or an understanding of the principals behind them

b) Can devise, appraise or improve a sustainable development business strategy

c) Can direct and manage the implementation of a sustainable development strategy

Assessment strategy

Assessment will be continuous throughout each of the units and whilst being rigorous it will also be of a supportive nature, in keeping with the target group and level of learning. Wherever possible, assessments will be designed to be effective in assessing learners’ skills and their achievement of assessment criteria, without detracting from their appreciation of the programme. Materials used in assessment will be non-discriminatory and be designed to draw upon the workplace experiences of learners. The assessment strategy will be designed to actively encourage learners to recognise their skills, and to empower them to make informed choices about corporate and personal development and progression.

Individuals in a position to directly observe that learners have achieved the specified outcomes (such as line managers, internal trainers or others nominated by the learner's employer or the organisation commissioning the training programme) will, wherever possible, be involved in the assessment process. External tutors will be responsible for setting and carrying out assessments of written work and other appropriate tests of understanding and for assembling evidence to monitor the quality of internal assessment. All evidence of achievement will be available for external moderation.

Learners will be helped to build-up a portfolio of work derived from and relevant to the outcomes of the level of the award being pursued. This will form part of the evidence used during the process of assessment and moderation, together with evidence of internal observations. The content will be consistent with the assessment criteria for the level of learning and should assist learners to make informed choices about development and progression.

Progression

Progression will be assessed by evidence of continuing improvement in job performance resulting from the application of skills acquired during the programme and will be monitored by external trainers using methods such as a post-award visit or questionnaire. Academic progression would include moving to the next, higher level within the programme or pursuing either general administrative or management qualifications at the same or higher level or, for those qualified to go beyond levels 4 or 5, a University degree courses.

Assessment of course content and trainer performance

Learners will be offered opportunities to give and receive feedback on their own progress and their comments about the course and tutoring, during contact time with external trainers. There will also be a post-training questionnaire, to be completed and submitted by learners and their employers/sponsors, to provide an assessment of the course that can be evaluated independently and aid programme development.

Background

Sustainable Development is a subject that is considered to be of both national and international importance (as evidenced by the UK Government strategy document 'A better quality of life' published in May 1999 and the forthcoming World Summit on Sustainable Development, to be held in South Africa, August/September 2002). As a direct result of the national strategy, the Government is funding the SIGMA project, one of the objectives of which is to encourage the development of training for business organisations.

The course designer has been concerned about the underlying problems that sustainable development addresses for approximately thirty years, worked for the Government's Energy Efficiency Office, has post-graduate qualifications in both Sustainable Development and Management and is involved in developing local and national initiatives.

Paul Newman

July 02

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