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The continual development and recognition of environmental professionals is something to be celebrated. With this in mind, the Society for the Environment is highlighting organisations that truly champion their Chartered Environmentalist (CEnv) and/or Registered Environmental Technician (REnvTech) employees.

At their annual Awards and Lectures event held last Tuesday (4th June) at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, the Society launched the “Employer Champion” recognition programmes. The Employer Champion programmes allow organisations of all sizes to apply to become a “CEnv Employer Champion” and/or an “REnvTech Employer Champion”.

Registration as a CEnv or REnvTech demonstrates that an individual has been judged by their peers to be working at the highest standards in the environmental profession. Employers of CEnv and/or REnvTech registrants benefit too, as the registrations showcase the expertise and capabilities of their workforce. To be recognised as an Employer Champion highlights all of this and more, as it shows that the organisation provides the relevant support and opportunities for employees to excel.

By supporting aspiring CEnv and REnvTech registrants to reach a milestone in their careers and by enhancing the positioning of current registrants, an organisation will:

• enhance its brand;
• increase trust and positioning;
• help it to win new work and satisfy current clients;
• improve employee job satisfaction;
• attract higher quality job applicants;
• prove staff competence in legal proceedings;
• showcase a commitment to environmental protection;
• gain further opportunities to showcase environmental case studies and achievements;
• increase the environmental standing of the sector as a whole.

During the official launch on the 4th June – the eve of World Environment Day – Chief Executive of the Society, Dr Emma Wilcox, presented the first six successful organisations with their respective Employer Champion certificates. In alphabetical order, these include:

These six organisations were part of a pilot group that collectively developed the requirements for each Employer Champion programme, allowing them the opportunity to become the inaugural recipients of the certificates.

Upon confirmation of the successful application to become both a CEnv and REnvTech Employer Champion, Rick Butler, Head of Technical and Professional Development at Anglian Water, said:

“I am delighted that Anglian Water have been awarded ‘Employer Champion’ status with the Society for the Environment. Becoming the first company to gain this for both Chartered Environmentalist and Registered Environmental Technician demonstrates our sustained commitment to developing our employees. It highlights the value that Anglian Water put on professional registration and our continuing support for professional development at all levels within our organisation”.

Sandra Lee CEnv, Environment Manager at Atkins, agreed that being awarded ‘Employer Status’ is an honour:

“Atkins is delighted to be recognised as a Chartered Environmentalist Employer Champion.  The achievement acknowledges the support we provide to staff across the business and the value we place on their development, which enables them to receive global recognition as Chartered environmental and sustainability professionals.”

To be successful in their application, organisations must satisfactorily detail responses to the outlined questions on a simple application form. The application covers areas such as:

• the number of current CEnv / REnvTech registrants employed;
• support provided for current and aspiring registrants;
• access to mentoring;
• opportunity for progression, and;
• senior management / Director level support.

Expanding on the new Employer Champion programme, Dr Emma Wilcox said:

“We are aware of the fantastic support that some organisations provide in relation to the CEnv and REnvTech registrations and we are delighted to be able to highlight them in this way. However, we want to do more than champion organisations that encourage and celebrate professional registration – we also want to listen to them. This is a great learning opportunity on both sides. This relationship between the Society and employers will allow us to ensure that our professional registrations are future proof and continue to meet the requirements of those who employ registered environmental professionals.”

The Society invites you to showcase your organisation’s commitment to championing the environmental experts you employ by applying to gain CEnv Employer Champion and/or REnvTech Employer Champion status - at no cost. Employer Champions can come from across a huge range of sectors and vary in size, but they all employ and support registered environmental professionals.

To find out more and to apply, please visit socenv.org.uk/employer-champions