Skills Bootcamp: Sustainability and Carbon Management

OVERVIEW

Build practical sustainability skills to progress your career, support your business and turn carbon reduction ambitions into action.

Want to help organisations become more sustainable? Our Sustainability and Carbon Management Skills Bootcamp will help you understand the challenges, identify opportunities and plan practical improvements.

Designed for employed professionals, career changers, unemployed adults and business owners, this Level 3 programme explores carbon management, energy efficiency, sustainable finance, environmental requirements and organisational change.

You’ll work on real-world challenges and develop a Sustainability Action Plan that you can apply within an organisation, business or future role. Alongside your learning, you’ll benefit from employer insight, professional networking and careers support to help you take your next step.

What you will learn

This Skills Bootcamp will help you develop practical knowledge and confidence across the key areas of organisational sustainability.

You’ll explore:

Sustainability principles and their relevance to organisations.
Assessing an organisation’s current sustainability performance.
Carbon management, carbon accounting and carbon reduction.
Energy efficiency, renewable energy and net zero.
Resource efficiency and waste management.
Sustainable transport, procurement and supply chains.
Sustainable finance and green investment.
Stakeholder engagement and behaviour change.
Sustainability policy, certification and regulation.
Sustainable digital technologies.

You’ll bring your learning together in a Sustainability Action Plan, identifying practical steps to address a sustainability challenge.

DURATION

COURSE STRUCTURE

The programme covers 11 core themes:

Introduction to sustainability: Understand the key concepts and drivers for change.
Taking stock: Assess organisational sustainability and identify priorities.
Energy efficiency and carbon reduction: Explore carbon impacts and opportunities to reduce emissions.
Renewable energy and net zero: Understand their role in planning a lower-carbon future.
Resource efficiency and waste management: Identify ways to use resources more effectively.
Sustainable transport and supply chains: Explore the impact of travel, procurement and suppliers.
Sustainable finance and green investment: Understand how financial decisions can support sustainability.
Stakeholder engagement and behaviour change: Develop approaches to involving people and encouraging action.
Policy, certification and regulation: Explore the requirements and frameworks that shape organisational sustainability.
Sustainable digital technologies: Consider the role and environmental impact of digital tools.
Sustainability Action Plan: Develop and present a practical plan, drawing on what you have learned.

ONGOING SUPPORT AND PROGRESSION

Before you begin, you’ll discuss your career or business goals and develop a personal Progression Action Plan.

Throughout the programme, you’ll receive tutor support, progress reviews and careers guidance, alongside opportunities to connect with employers and sustainability professionals.

Support will reflect your goals:

If you’re looking for work: CV development, job search support, interview preparation and employer introductions.

If you’re employed: support to explore new responsibilities, career progression or involvement in sustainability projects.

If you’re self-employed or running a business: guidance on applying your skills to new services, contracts and business opportunities.

The programme can support your next steps towards sustainability-related work or help you bring sustainability responsibilities into an existing role.

Progression support will continue for up to six months after completion.

If you need additional learning support or reasonable adjustments, please tell us when you apply so we can discuss how to support you.

ELIGIBILITY

To take part in this Skills Bootcamp, you must:

Be aged 19 or over.

Have the right to work in the UK and have lived in the UK for at least one year.

Live in Surrey with an eligible Surrey postcode.

If you claim Universal Credit, you can apply and continue to claim benefits while studying.

This programme is suitable for employed professionals, career changers, unemployed adults, freelancers, sole traders and business owners who want to use sustainability skills in their work or future career.

You should be able to attend the online and face-to-face sessions and complete activities between workshops. During your application discussion, we’ll explore how the programme fits your goals and identify a sustainability challenge or opportunity you could work on.

PRICING

Skills Bootcamps are funded through Surrey County Council. Here’s how the funding works:

Unemployed individuals, freelancers and sole traders in Surrey: 100% funded.

Small and medium-sized businesses in Surrey (fewer than 250 employees): the employer contributes 10%; the remaining 90% is funded.

Large businesses in Surrey (250 or more employees): the employer contributes 30%; the remaining 70% is funded.

Learners may enrol in one fully funded Skills Bootcamp per year (1 April to 31 March).

ASSESSMENT

You’ll apply your learning through practical activities and employer-endorsed projects.

Your main project will be a Sustainability Action Plan, demonstrating how you would apply sustainability principles within an organisation, project or business. You’ll present your plan to a panel of sustainability professionals and employers and receive feedback.

On successful completion, you’ll receive a Skills Bootcamp certificate of completion and accreditation through CIFAL Surrey.

Ready to develop your sustainability skills?

Complete the Skills Bootcamp: Sustainability and Carbon Management application form. Our team will contact you to discuss your goals, confirm your eligibility and explain the programme. Your application will include a screening and careers discussion to make sure the Bootcamp fits your career plans, business needs or progression opportunities.

Successful applicants will receive enrolment guidance, programme details and information about the support available before the course begins.