Welcome To Greenfriars Learning

Greenfriars is proud to work with the Institute for Environmental Management and Assessment on the delivery of the Foundation Certificate in Environmental Management. Click here to download a summary of the course topics.

The Foundation Course is for you if you are a career changer, a career re-starter, or if your current role will—or already does—involve aspects of environmental management and sustainability. There are a lot of Green jobs out there, and they all need filling by people like you. The Foundation Course is a great place to start. 

In recognition of the urgency of the climate and biodiversity crises and the associated need to equip and upskill people in the area of environment and sustainability, Greenfriars are running this FCEM course in 2025 at a much discounted rate of £850 (including VAT, course fees and one year's IEMA Associate Membership), and is the most affordable virtual live FCEM course on offer.

For our FAQ, click here.

Kickstart your career in sustainability: join the Greenfriars Career Catalyst

 Passionate about sustainability? Ready to launch your career in environmental consultancy or an environmental not-for-profit? The Greenfriars Career Catalyst gives you hands-on experience, expert mentorship, and industry-recognised training, all from the comfort of your own home.

 We are looking for a limited number of passionate and committed people to take part in our Career Catalyst Programme in June-July 2025.

What’s in it for you?

• IEMA Foundation Certificate in Environmental Management Training: Fully funded, 30-hour training, 23rd–27th June. Pass the open book IEMA exam to earn one year’s Associate Membership.
• Career Coaching & Mentoring – Receive tailored one-on-one career guidance and ongoing mentorship to accelerate your professional journey.
• Flexible, Remote Work – Work on real environmental consultancy projects from anywhere, at your own pace, with clear deadlines. Apply your skills to an assigned 2-week personal consultancy project that makes an impact.
• Peer Network: Be part of a supportive cohort of like-minded individuals, with access to an online forum to collaborate, connect, and learn from your peers.
• Greenfriars Masterclasses: additional environmental and social Masterclass Training Sessions and opportunity to earn a Greenfriars Certificate with a grade upon completion.
• Great for your CV - this scheme offers experience with real consultancy projects, the chance to network with sector relevant experts and businesses who could become future employers and the opportunity to reference your work with Greenfriars Ltd and Dr Rufus Howard.

This six-week programme is led by Dr Rufus Howard, a Chartered Environmentalist and Fellow of the Institute of Environmental Management and Assessment, and is operated by Greenfriars Ltd. The programme starts with onboarding and induction during the week commencing 16th June 2025, followed by immersive training and personal projects designed to enhance your expertise, broaden your networks, and fast-track your career. 

Eligibility

Ideal for graduates or career changing professionals with an interest in environment, sustainability, impact assessment, or related fields.

You should apply if you:

✔ Have strong written and verbal communication skills in English.
✔ Enjoy data analysis, research, critical thinking and problem-solving.
✔ Are detail-oriented, organized, and able to manage tasks independently.
✔ Thrive in both collaborative and self-directed work environments.
✔ Core skills in Microsoft office applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)

Details:

• Location: Remote
• Duration: 6-week programme (remote and online – time commitment 110 Hours (40hrs training and 70hrs project work)
• Compensation: This is an unpaid programme, participants receive the following benefits:
  • CV review and career planning session (worth £150)
  • IEMA Foundation Certificate in Environmental Management course (worth £1000)
  • Greenfriars Environmental and Social Masterclasses (worth £500) and Certificate
  • Mentoring and coaching during 2-week consultancy project
  • Networking within a cohort of peers
  • Add the six-week Career Catalyst Programme with Greenfriars to your CV.

Role and responsibilities:

Your role will be to complete the training and work on your assigned consultancy and research project, under the guidance of Greenfriars, enabling you to gain sector-relevant work experience and training. 

Personalised Project and Career Specific Training:

The Career Catalyst has core modules that all participants take, providing an essential grounding in environmental and social consultancy and advice. Participants can then choose a role specialisation. For example: 

• Environment and Sustainability Consultancy: Environmental Consultant or Social Specialist
• Environmental NGO:  Policy Advisor or Project Coordinator
• Environmental and Social Knowledge Management: Researcher or Educator

 You’ll work with specialists at Greenfriars. in a variety of consultancy and research activities, including:

• Research and analysis – Conduct desk-based research, data analysis, and reporting on projects
• Training and content development – Assist in creating materials for workshops, courses, and industry presentations
• Sustainability insights – Support the development of guidance, knowledge and evidence on Impact Assessment, Sustainable Finance, Bioregionalism and other key topics
• Policy and publication – Help draft policy reports, sector reports, articles, insights and presentations.

How to apply: 

Places are limited. To apply please send a CV and covering letter to rufus@greenfriars.org.uk by 18 April setting out why you would like to take part in the Greenfriars Catalyst Programme. Online interviews for shortlisted candidates will take place 25-30 April. Successful candidates will be notified by 2 May. Terms and Conditions apply.

Contact us if you have any questions at rufus@greenfriars.org.uk. 

We are excited to be offering a professional EIA programme through 2025. The remaining programme is a series of two one-day training courses for professionals. The first is part of our EIA Programme is 'Understanding and Reviewing EIAs'. Taught by Dr Rufus Howard, this course gets into how EIA can be used well for good outcomes for the environment and communities.

 Understanding and Reviewing EIAs is suitable for: