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IEHA, a Division of ISSA, announces the launch of its new Sustainability Professional (SP) credential to assist IEHA/ISSA members in defining and validating their roles as sustainability practitioners.

“In analyzing how best to assist our constituents, we determined there is a need for sustainability credentialing to help members stand out,” said IEHA Executive Director Michael Patterson. “As the concept goes mainstream, certified members can drive internal sustainability programs and integrate with corporate sustainability management systems.”

Sustainability Professional certification includes three modules:

1. The Sustainability Advantage explains why sustainability is the right thing to do and why it is important to environmental services executives and their employers from an environmental, personal, career and business perspective.

2. Making a Business Case for Sustainability shows how to establish the return on investment (ROI) of sustainability in healthcare facilities, thus providing a fiduciary incentive to go green by protecting the business interests of IEHA-member employers. This module includes action strategies to assist with early ROI.

3. Selling Sustainability to Stakeholders provides examples of persuasive language, charts, and graphics to convince stakeholders (both upper management and line workers) of the great value of sustainability initiatives within the environmental services department.

“An SP certification will distinguish professionals as qualified experts in sustainability,” explained Patterson. “Plus, it will help them support their customers looking to provide a higher level of environmentally friendly services.”

For the convenience of attendees, this one-day workshop can be taken online or in the classroom. IEHA will conduct the inaugural class in November, with additional opportunities scheduled for 2019. Recertification as a Sustainability Professional is required every two years, on the even year.

“As the sustainability field grows, so must the number of sustainability professionals,” reasoned Patterson. “Achieving SP certification will help keep a person on the leading edge of our ever-changing industry.”

For more information or to register, call 847-982-0800 Ext 1377, or email excel@ieha.org.