How to study the IEMA Foundation Certificate

Have you taken on more environmental responsibilities in your job and need to develop your knowledge and skills? The IEMA Foundation Certificate in Environmental Management is the ideal course to upskill yourself and develop a career in sustainability. It covers the entire sustainability agenda so that you can reduce your company's impact on the local and global environment.

There are many ways you can study for this globally-recognised qualification. This post will go through the different study methods available so you can decide which course is best for your.

Things to consider when choosing a training course

Deciding the right study method for you is usually determined by your circumstances. The most common factors to consider are:

• Your availability – how flexible are you? Do you have a deadline to complete the qualification?
• Budget - are you funding the course or is your employer?
• Your preferred learning styles - perhaps you're trying online learning for the first time and want to find out if it is for you?

IEMA Foundation Certificate in Environmental Management Online

Online learning is also referred to as e-learning, distance or home study. Studying the IEMA Foundation Certificate online offers you a very flexible method of study which has become such an essential factor for everyone's busy lives.

If you are familiar with studying online, you know the essential features of saving time, money and energy. If you have never tried online learning, read on to see if it is for you:

What is involved?

You need access to a digital device such as a laptop/PC, tablet or smartphone and internet access. Be prepared to devote a minimum of around 40 hours of online study to complete this course. The IEMA website is an excellent source of all potential online providers, including Astutis. Your online course will probably be hosted on a Learning Management System (LMS) which is a learning website which is where you access your course and additional resources.

Is online learning interesting and easy to use?

Yes, absolutely. You can expect as standard, lots of multimedia such as videos, podcasts and interactive activities. Gone are the days of scrolling down multiple screens of text. Your online IEMA Foundation Certificate should be easy to use so you can navigate your way through all the topics and additional resources. The best way to find out is to get a demo of the IEMA Foundation Certificate online.

Convenient and more affordable learning

If you have many commitments to juggle from work and family, a huge benefit to studying online is flexibility. You decide on the time and place of study. You can access the course whenever you want and study from the comfort and ease of your home. The Online IEMA Foundation course price will always be less than a classroom course in addition to the transport and time savings.

The eco-friendly way to learn

Studying your IEMA Foundation online is a more environmentally friendly. You are reducing your carbon footprint with less use of energy and paper resources. You are playing your part in reducing your impact on the environment.

How will I be motivated to complete the online IEMA Foundation?

A common barrier to studying the IEMA Foundation online or any course online is the fear of not completing the course. Being motivated to keep studying is a challenge for the best of students. A good tip is to find out from online course providers the resources they offer as part of this method of learning.
One example of Astutis' online learning tool that students use to improve their learning experience is a motivational tool. It is a useful resource that Astutis offers, is the TrackSmart^TM learning planner tool. It updates you on your progress in line with your ideal completion date or the number of hours you can commit to studying. Astutis TrackSmart^TM then creates your tailored learning plan. Find out from your online course provider what resources they have in place to keep you on track with your online learning so that you can complete it.

Will online learning mean I’m studying on my own?

No, not all the time. Online learning offers the benefit of choosing when and where you want, but you don't have to feel isolated. Any good provider will provide access to an IEMA online learning community of similar minded people studying the Foundation Certificate. This could be a forum on the learning portal. As an example, Astutis offers a dedicated LinkedIn group of IEMA Foundation Certificate learners, where you can ask questions or debate topics.

One-to-one tutor support is an integral part of any online course. If you have a question, you can email or phone your tutor to get your answer.

IEMA Foundation classroom learning

For the IEMA Foundation Certificate, classroom study is also referred to as traditional learning or face to face. It means you choose a venue and a date of a course provider’s public course that suits your schedule. The IEMA website lists all the providers for the IEMA Foundation classroom and online learning providers. The vast majority are based in the UK and the United Arab Emirates. Astutis offers regular courses across the UK.

What’s involved in taking the IEMA Foundation in a classroom?

Typically, a classroom course can host up to 20 students, but 8 to 14 learners is an optimum number for effective interaction and group work. It is a five-day course followed by a one-hour multiple-choice test to complete within 28 days of the last day of the course.

The IEMA Foundation Certificate classroom course is led by a tutor who must be a full member of IEMA with plenty of environmental experience. A good tutor will use his industry background in managing environmental and sustainability issues to illustrate the ideas and concepts covered in the course.

How is the IEMA Foundation classroom course structured?

This will depend on the course provider. Typically, the tutor will present the topic, and then students participate in the discussion and different interactive activities in groups to develop knowledge, understanding and skills. You should have plenty of opportunities to apply what you learn in typical workplace scenarios. You can also benefit from sharing experiences with people in similar roles and exchanging ideas.

What’s the right learning method for you?

If you are torn between classroom or online learning for your IEMA Foundation Certificate, you need to weigh up your drivers for taking the course. Consider the importance of the features outlined and what is best for your learning experience.

Before making a decision on the learning method and the course provider, ask for a demo of the online course and review the testimonials of both classroom and online learning methods.