Is IEMA Membership Worth It?

The Institute of Environmental Management & Assessment (IEMA) are a professional body that curates environmental certifications. Their certifications ensure that those responsible for environmental roles are adequately educated and prepared. 

In this blog, we will uncover the different offerings from IEMA and analyse the benefits of their membership. 

What different IEMA courses are there?

IEMA have a vast catalogue of courses dedicated to workers and businesses in the environmental fields. Each course accommodates different learners at different stages in their careers.

1, IEMA Foundational Certificate for Environmental Management. 

A 40-hour tour-de-force in environmental leadership. The IEMA Foundational Certificate for Environmental Management. It introduces learners to sustainability, pollution prevention, and data collection concepts. 

A perfect prologue for anyone looking to dip their toes into the environmental training water, the course presents a challenge without becoming a hindrance to learners. The course is not a heavy investment financially or time-wise. It, therefore, is an ideal starting point for any individual or business looking to enhance their understanding of environmental practices. 

2, IEMA Certificate for Environmental Management.

The IEMA Certificate for Environmental Management is known internationally as a huge glowing star on CVs and resumes for those who know that their career lies in the environmental arena. It also can drastically improve staff understanding of environmental best practices. 

Learners must have studied the IEMA Foundational Certificate in Environmental Management before sitting this course. These courses complement each other impressively, with the Foundation Certificate providing a similar structure and process, preparing the learner for a more advanced Certificate. 

3, IEMA Environmental Sustainability Skills for the Workforce

The IEMA Environmental Sustainability Skills for the Workforce offers a steadfast insight into the principles of sustainable working and how it affects businesses. It introduces learners to key environmental issues and effective environmental management systems. 

The course provides learners with a pollution reduction toolkit and will set staff in the right environmental direction. 

4, IEMA Environmental Sustainability Skills for Managers

The IEMA Environmental Sustainability Skills for Managers certification delves deeper into pressing environmental issues than the Skills for the Workforce course. The course is widely thought to take up to triple the time and work to complete as the Workforce course. The course analyses environmental regulators and environmental sustainability and its effect on different areas in and around the business. 

Should I become an IEMA member?

There are different levels of IEMA membership. Each comes with its perks and benefits. If you are stuck on what membership is suitable for you, IEMA has a membership test. All memberships require an application fee and an annual fee. These vary depending on the level of membership.

The levels are as follows;

1, Student

2, Affiliate 

3, Graduate (GradIEMA) 

4, Associate (AIEMA)

5, Practioner (PIEMA)

6, Full (MIEMA)

7, Fellow (FIEMA)

Arching back to the most important question - Is IEMA Membership Worth it? - It's imperative to understand that it's largely dependent on the individual position. Each different membership tier represents a different stage in any career. Let's go through each and discuss this further. 

1, Student Membership

COST: £26.75 Application fee and £26.75 annual renewal fee.

The student membership is the cheapest and is widely considered the ideal entry point for anyone looking to explore a career in environmental health and safety. To be eligible, you must have proof of student status. 

2, Affiliate Membership

COST: £135.50 application fee and £135.50 annual renewal fee.

The Affiliate membership is seen as the first step for individuals who want to know more about sustainability and the environment. Have access to the IEMA magazine and become more informed about proactive environmental practices.

3, Graduate Membership

COST: £135.50 Application fee and £135.50 Annual renewal fee.

The Graduate tier incorporates environmental training into your membership. To be eligible, you must present proof of study and evidence that your study contained environmental topics. 

4, Associate Membership (AIEMA)

COST: £231.75* Application fee and £145.75 Annual renewal fee.

*fee may vary depending on the course provider

To achieve Associate status with IEMA, you must pass an IEMA certified course such as the IEMA Foundational Certificate in Environmental Management. 

5, Practioner Membership (PIEMA)

COST: £290.50* Application fee and £177.00 Annual renewal fee.

*Fee may vary depending on the course provider

The Practioner tier unlocks the ability to register as an official Registered Environmental Practitioner (REnvP). Becoming a REnvP symbolises the higher standard of environmental knowledge and practice that only comes after sacrifice and dedication. 

6, Full Membership

COST: £472.75 Application fee and £193.75 Annual renewal fee.

IEMA considers Full Membership the gold standard in environmental health and safety. The perks of the Full membership include a more comprehensive environmental network and the eligibility to apply to become a Chartered Environmentalist.

7, Fellow Membership (FIEMA)

COST: £499.75 Application fee and £220.75 Annual renewal fee.

The most proactive of all membership tiers, the Fellow level acknowledges your knowledge and impact. At this point, you will have driven change in an environmentally positive manner. This membership team not only recognises that but also showcases it. 

What are the benefits?

From the get-go, once you are an official IEMA member you will have access to a wide array of communications, networks and publications. Members will be eligible to attend career events and students members will have opportunities for student placements. If you are already an environmental professional, just by having an IEMA membership, your reputation will be enhanced. It’s important to remember IEMA remain the biggest environmental management training body in the world. Employers have often cited that in the heavily regulated world of environmental management, having an IEMA Certificate or membership can help develop trust and reliability. 

Essentially, becoming a IEMA member invites you into a pro-active society dedicated to environmental sustainability. Except it is no ordinary society, it will expand your knowledge and boost career or corporate prospects.

Key Takeaways

• Remember that the value of an IEMA Membership varies from role to role. However, the lower tiers of the membership demand minimal financial commitment and can provide a gateway into environmental networking.
• If you pass the IEMA Foundational Certificate for Environmental Management you will receive a FREE year of the IEMA Associate membership (AIEMA). 
• If you are a current student ask your place of work or study if they can help qualify you for a student membership which can be a perfect entry point into the world of environmental practice. 

Before you make any decision regarding the membership, do your research on the IEMA website.