Laois Offaly companies get help to action sustainability ambitions

A select group of business people in Laois Offaly are to be offered an avenue to turn their sustainability plans into reality via a course just announced by the Laois Offaly Education and Training Board (LOETB). 

The education and training body has just launched 'Embedding Sustainability into Business,' which it describes as a comprehensive twelve-module programme designed to take professionals from high-level strategy to day-to-day implementation.

LOETB says sustainability is no longer a "nice-to-have" but has become it is a "critical driver of resilience, innovation, and profitability".

However, the training body says many business leaders and employees struggle to bridge the gap between wanting to be sustainable and actually doing it.

"This new 12-module programme solves that problem by moving beyond theory to provide a "360-degree view" of the sustainable business landscape.

"From the 'why' to the 'how', the programme is built for SME owners, operations managers, and employees tasked with embedding sustainability into their business models. It is designed to equip them with the practical tools needed to build a robust system from scratch," said a statement.

The curriculum is divided into three phases:

• Strategy & Foundations: How to build a business case, gain internal buy-in, and navigate the complex requirements for businesses.
• Operational Excellence: Technical training on the circular economy, waste prevention, and carbon footprint measurements.
• Communication & Reporting: How to report transparently to using frameworks that are SME aligned.

Caroline Spollen from LOETB commented on the practicalities.

"We constantly hear from businesses in Laois and Offaly who understand why sustainability matters, but they get stuck on the execution. They ask, 'How do I actually measure a carbon footprint?' or 'How do I report this without getting accused of greenwashing?'

“We designed ‘Embedding Sustainability into Business’ to answer those questions. This isn’t just about listening to lectures; it’s about leaving with a toolkit. Whether you are an SME owner or an employee stepping into a Sustainability Manager role, you will finish this course with a custom action plan ready to implement immediately,” she said.

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On completion, LOETB says participants will be able to:

• Articulate the business case for sustainability and its key risks and opportunities. 
• Assess an organisation’s baseline performance and set meaningful sustainability KPIs.
• Develop and implement a practical sustainability strategy using change-management principles.
• Identify and compare major ESG standards and certifications to choose the right fit.
• Apply circular economy thinking to reduce waste and redesign processes.
• Measure carbon emissions across Scopes 1, 2, and 3.
• Evaluate supply-chain sustainability risks and identify improvement opportunities.
• Use basic Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) concepts to understand product and process impacts.
• Communicate sustainability progress clearly and responsibly to avoid greenwashing.
• Understand and apply EMS frameworks such as ISO 14001.
• Use Lean principles to drive efficient, sustainable innovation.
• Prepare credible ESG or non-financial disclosures aligned with leading standards.
• Create a practical sustainability action plan tailored to their organisation.

Only 15 spaces are available. Register at: www.loetb.com/sustainability

This programme is fully funded though Skills to Advance a national initiative to upskill people in employment and promote lifelong learning.