RSK partners with university for Certified EnvCoW course

The Environmental Impact Assessment, Planning and Design team at RSK has been working with the University of the West of Scotland to develop and deliver an environmental clerk of works foundation course that is approved by the Institute of Environmental Management and Assessment (IEMA). The masters-level course is open to those wanting to further develop their skills in on-site environmental auditing and compliance services.

Certified Environmental Clerks of Works (EnvCoW) practitioners provide valuable environmental compliance monitoring and reporting on projects, and demand for qualified individuals is increasing. To support this emerging talent, RSK has partnered with the university to develop and deliver a multidisciplinary EnvCoW foundation course.

The course has been designed to offer interactive workshops covering a range of topics, including construction site and personal skills modules and technical knowledge units on hydrology, ecology, emerging risks and resource management. As the course has been developed by leading practitioners within RSK, the university and regulatory bodies, students will have access to real-world expertise and the opportunity to gain an in-depth and applied understanding of the EnvCoW discipline.

Simon Knott, RSK Associate Director and course co-founder, said, “The Environmental Clerk of Works role is an incredibly powerful tool to promote positive construction-phase environmental performance. But it also comes with its challenges: from the diverse technical knowledge required to undertake the role effectively to the ‘softer’ skills required around communication, negotiation and resilience.

“I wanted to develop a course that challenges the delegates while giving them the confidence to recognise any limitations and mitigate them effectively. The course provides delegates with a fantastic opportunity to discuss real world experiences in a supportive environment,” Simon continued.

Completion of the course will qualify students with 20 credits that can be put towards an MSc programme. The course is recognised as continuing professional development by IEMA and the EnvCoW qualifying body, the Association of Environmental Clerks of Works (AECoW).

The course is running throughout the year and is open for registrations online, where more information about the course content can also be found.