Most emerging occupations develop from more than one occupation, so sustainability specialists may come from a variety of education and training backgrounds. Prior to enrolling in an education program, prospective students should contact associations and employers in this field to investigate education options and employment possibilities.
This is typically not an entry-level position. However, people with project management skills may come into this role from an engineering, architecture, or science-based background. Sustainability specialists must be well informed about:
- Social, economic, and environmental impacts, issues, and strategies
- Environmental management methods and techniques and related legislation and regulations
- Energy conversion, conservation, materials science, and renewable energy at a general scientific and engineering level
- General lifecycle analysis and sustainability index
- General business and management functions
- Organizational development and change
- Environmental management systems, such as the International Organization for Standardization (ISO)
Most sustainability specialists have post-secondary education in environmental, architectural, engineering, or management fields. Employers generally prefer applicants with several years of related experience as well as related education and training.
For more information about post-secondary schools in Alberta that offer related degree programs, see the following occupational profiles:
For a broad list of programs and courses that may be related to this occupation try searching using keywords.