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VELG and sustainability

Voc Ed Learning Group (VELG) takes sustainability very seriously. In fact, VELG is leading the field in the vocational education and training (VET) sector when it comes to combating climate change. 

After a detailed and accredited study, we have offset all our emissions of greenhouse gases for 2009 - almost 160 tonnes. And VELG Director Michelle Weaver has made her commitment to the environment clear in her commitment to sustainability.

Carbon Planet, a leading Australian carbon management company and also Greenhouse FriendlyTM accredited, carried out a thorough assessment of VELG's 2009 emissions - the Executive Summary of the audit can be found here.

After implementing a carbon-friendly strategy halfway through 2009, VELG saw its emissions drop even though business activity increased. The 'green strategy' included offsetting flights, using carbon neutral training facilities, setting up a recycling system and substituting some printed materials for electronic media.

VELG Director Michelle Weaver says the Australian Government has shown its commitment to looking at the effects of climate change through its Green Skills Agreement for the VET sector.

"Through this agreement, all training packages will include sustainability principles and competencies and trainers will be upskilled in delivering green skills. As we professionally develop trainers and assessors, it is only right that we have gone through the process of looking at our own business practices and made our own pledge to be carbon neutral.

"We are committed to helping Australians to have the best skills possible. As an organisation we naturally have an eye on the future and after working to reduce our emissions, hopefully we are showing a further commitment to the country's future which is facing the impacts of climate change.''

VELG's 2009 emissions have been offset by Carbon Planet's certified carbon credits - in this instance a Brazilian project was selected based on its 'Beyond Carbon' qualities. The project uses renewable biomass diverted from local industrial waste for energy instead of firewood that was previously removed from the native forest thereby avoiding methane emissions and deforestation.

VELG has also committed to an annual independent emissions assessment.

 

 


 

Green Skills and VET

The Council of Australian Governments (COAG) has endorsed a new Green Skills Agreement that will deliver skills for sustainability in the Australian vocational education and training (VET) sector. 

The Agreement is a high-level statement of principles and desired outcomes which will lead to:

All green skill gaps in training packages will be identified by the end of March 2010 and the revision of the suite of training packages, including the necessary industry consultation and validation processes, will be completed by the end of 2010. 

For details of the 7 December 2009 COAG meeting click here (page 6) [PDF 136 KB]


Publications

Skilling and reskilling for our (greener) future - NCVER (April 2010)

How green are my qualifications? [PDF 1.81 MB] - presentation by the Transport & Logistics Industry Skills Council

Scoping Skills for Sustainability [PDF 190.75 KB] - Innovation & Business Skills Australia (April 2010)

Sustainability Skills Stocktake and Gap Analysis [PDF 438.34KB] - Service Skills Australia (March 2010)

National VET Sector Sustainability Policy and Action Plan (2009-2012) [PDF 540.12 KB] - DEEWR

Skills for Sustainability Excellence Framework [PDF 282.23 KB] - TVET Australia

Environmental Sustainability - an industry response (e-zine) - Industry Skills Councils

Growing the Green Collar Economy [PDF 1.07 MB] - CSIRO


Links

Department of Climate Change
Climate Change in Australia
myfuture Green Careers resources


Our Suppliers

Green Potions - eco friendly cleaning products

Carbon Planet - carbon management