Feedback from recruitment specialists, business leaders and corporate members suggests there has been a sharp upturn in demand for IEMA members this year.
To ensure supply can meet this demand, IEMA has developed a series of services and one key partnership to welcome more early career members into the profession.
IEMA has been informed that, since the launch of the new Practitioner grade in June, more employers are seeking to appoint IEMA members at all grades. Employers have said that IEMA’s professional standards give them confidence in the high calibre of work they can expect from a member, and that they understand the membership journey.
In order to support more members to join and progress their own personal journeys in the early years of their careers, IEMA has been creating a specialist recruitment campaign and package of tools and opportunities.
Entering the profession unsupported can be a barrier. With many jobs asking for some experience as well as a good knowledge base, those currently outside it can feel blocked from placing a foot on the first rung on the ladder. To help those in that position, IEMA has launched a work experience directory. By matching members looking for opportunities with corporate members who want to support early career talent, the directory helps young members gain the experience they need to enter the profession.
IEMA has also produced two exclusive webinars for Student and Graduate members. They were created in association with employability partner Shirley Parsons Associates, and provide practical tips and advice on how to get the most from work experience, job hunting, crafting a CV and preparing for interviews.
The partnership with Shirley Parsons Associates is aimed not only at those at the start of their careers, however. The recruitment agency is also connecting members and employers across the economy, using its experience over 11 years of placing environment and sustainability professionals in jobs to provide members with specialist career guidance and updates.
Matthew Bransby, the firm’s divisional lead of sustainability, said: ‘Shirley Parsons Associates has seen a clear increase in the demand for IEMA membership across the whole of industry. With the newly designed skills map, which is impacting sector standards, it’s become imperative for people entering the sector to be members and progress along the IEMA journey.
At Shirley Parsons Associates we are proud to be working closely with [IEMA chief executive] Tim Balcon and IEMA to connect employers, IEMA and its members. As a partner of IEMA, we are delighted to be assisting members at all stages of their careers.’
The current student and graduate campaign is just the start of IEMA’s relationship with Shirley Parsons. A full programme of careers support available for all members is planned for 2017.
Take action
- To add your CV to the Work Experience Directory, go to iema.net/cv-library.
- To advertise details of a work experience vacancy at your organisation contact [email protected].
- Student and Graduate webinars are at iema.net/career-webinars.
- If you are currently job hunting go to jobs.environmentalistonline.com to view all the current vacancies.
- To find out more about Shirley Parsons Associates and its current opportunities, contact [email protected].
