Gemma Parkinson: IEMA Certificate in Environmental Management
Course
Gemma Parkinson is an Environmental Sustainability Partner at Qurate Retail Group who chose to enhance her expertise by completing IEMA’s most sought-after courses. This comprehensive method of Astutis’ IEMA courses included the following:
We are so privileged to have been a part of Gemma’s training journey. Her story is a testament to how targeted professional development can empower individuals to drive meaningful change in their organisations and encourage others to do the same.
For Gemma, the choice to pursue the IEMA Certificate in Environmental Management was a natural progression in her career. After moving into her role in May 2021, she was keen to build on her foundational knowledge and continue her professional development.
"I started with the IEMA Foundation Certificate, and the IEMA Certificate in Environmental Management was naturally the next step for me to continue my development in my role. "
“My goal with the CEM was to fill in some of the gaps in knowledge that I wanted to delve into much deeper. There were elements in there that I don't do, such as audits, but it was really good for me to understand how they conduct them. My role could potentially develop into something like that, so I knew I wanted to understand that better, so I was ready for the next step.”
When picking her learning method, Gemma opted for the virtual course option, a decision influenced by her previous positive experience with Astutis' virtual classroom offering.
"I chose the virtual course previously for the Foundation Certificate and it worked so well for me. I could come into the office, and there was no need for me to travel, which would have taken too my time away from my home life.”
The virtual format was not just convenient for her work-life balance but also deeply engaging. The course was structured over six weeks, allowing Gemma to balance her professional responsibilities with her learning.
“We had breaks, and there was so much more to it than just staring at a screen. You weren't just sitting and looking at a trainer talking to you. We broke off into groups, got to ask questions and discuss answers with one another. It was a great experience.”
We ensure both our classroom and virtual course offerings feature interactive elements, such as group discussions and real-life examples provided by our expert tutors to assist with the process of learning. Gemma’s tutor, Hugh, is a shining example of this practice.
"There was so much more to it than just staring at a screen, and we’d break off into groups to discuss topics and learn how others might apply principles in their settings. Hugh had so much work experience in environmental management and sustainability. The topics that we spoke about he could give real-life examples from where he applied principles so we could get a sense of the practical applications for our roles.”
The IEMA Certificate in Environmental Management has had a significant impact on Gemma's approach to her role at Qurate Retail Group, thanks to it’s overview of environmental sustainability, introducing her to principles and practices that were new and directly applicable to her work.
“The course gives you a rounded overview of environmental sustainability in all terms. It was so thorough, and there were elements and principles that I didn't know existed at the time. It was great to discuss with the tutor, Hugh, how I can take them and adapt them directly to my own work and role. The course has given me so much confidence in my work. If I hadn’t done it, I wouldn’t be where I am now.”
For many of our learners, the standout aspect of the course is its focus on engagement and communication, which has proven invaluable in Gemma’s wide-reaching global role.
"In Qurate Retail Group, there are only four of us globally in my style of role and the course helped teach me how to get other stakeholders on board to discuss how prioritising sustainability can benefit them and their goals.”
Gemma's experience with the IEMA CEM has not only benefited her own professional development but has also inspired others within Qurate Retail Group. She notes that the organisation’s Environmental Business Resource Groups, volunteer groups driven by individuals with a passion for sustainability, have shown increased interest in environmental training for themselves.
"They've asked me a lot since I've done my course about collectively doing a course themselves. IEMA courses always come up in those conversations because they’re a recognised qualification and valuable in all lines of work.”
The ripple effect of Gemma's training is clear—sustainability is becoming a shared goal within the organisation, with more individuals eager to contribute to environmental initiatives.
"Sustainability and environmental training courses open up many possibilities of what we can look at and improve in the organisation because everyone is on board. The more we start to see success in everyday work and the little things, we can really start to spread them around the organisation as others start to see the benefit.”
Gemma Parkinson's journey through the IEMA Certificate in Environmental Management is a powerful example of how professional development can lead to personal growth and broader organisational benefits. Her story underscores the importance of continuous learning and the value of recognised qualifications like the IEMA Certificate in Environmental Management below. As Gemma continues to drive sustainability initiatives at Qurate Retail Group, we look forward to continuing to be a part of her development.
Real Life Stories
