Skillset gets Green Mark
Skillset awarded Green Mark for environmental practices.
First Sector Skills Council to achieve Green stamp of approval
Skillset has been awarded the highly coveted Green Mark for its environmental practices. Skillset is the first Sector Skills Council to successfully achieve Green Mark status by demonstrating that it is taking responsibility for its environmental impacts. Over the next twelve months Skillset will work towards stage 2 of Green Mark which is evaluated by an organisation's sustained level of environmental good practice. Green Mark is awarded by the London Environment Centre and supported by the London Development Agency and the European Social Fund.
Dinah Caine, Chief Executive of Skillset, said:
"We are absolutely thrilled to have earned the Green Mark. Our Green Policy was prompted by our staff and is driven by their desire to contribute to sustainability. Skillset has worked hard over the last 10 months to implement our Green Policy recognising that in our day-to-day operations we inevitably impact on the environment and want to minimise the potentially harmful effects of such activity wherever and whenever possible. We are now looking forward to working even harder to achieve stage 2 of the Green Mark and promote its benefits to our industries and our partners."
Simon Goldsmith, Director of the London Environment Centre, said:
"Skillset recognised that environmental good practice is fundamental to good business management. The organisation has responded to this increasingly important agenda by implementing a number of effective improvements. Their award of Green Mark Level 1 illustrates their commitment which is now reinforced by their aim of achieving Level 2."
Skillset introduced a company wide green policy in October 2005 following staff feedback. Changes the policy has implemented include:
- Creation of a Green Team made up of staff from across the organisation;
- Embedding the importance of sustainability into each staff member's job description;
- Inducting all new staff on Skillset's Green Policy;
- Introducing practical steps on waste management and recycling;
- Setting targets to cut courier use and promoting public transport over taxis;
- Posting reminders around the office to turn off computers and lights when not in use;
- Making loans available to staff for the purchase of bikes;
- Conducting an annual staff survey on green issues.
For more details of how Skillset worked towards this award, please follow this link: Skillset Green Mark award.
For more information on Green Mark and the business benefits of improved environmental practices visit: http://www.green-mark.co.uk/
ENDS
SKILLSET PRESS OFFICE: rajivm@skillset.org
T: 020 7713 9812 M: 0796 80 10 325
Notes to Editor
1. Skillset is the Sector Skills Council for the Audio Visual Industries covering Broadcast, Film, Video, Interactive Media and Photo Imaging. Sector Skills Councils (SSCs) are licensed by the Secretary of State for Education and Skills and by Ministers in the devolved administrations to tackle the skills and productivity challenge by sector. SSCs are independent, UK wide organisations developed by groups of influential employers in industry or business sectors of economic or strategic significance. SSCs are employer-led and actively involve trade unions, professional bodies and other stakeholders in the sector. For more information visit: http://www.skillset.org/
2. The Skills for Business network is made up of 25 Sector Skills Councils - each one is an employer-led, independent organisation. The Sector Skills Development Agency (SSDA) underpins the network and is responsible for funding, supporting and monitoring the SSCs.
3. Green Mark is a practical environmental tool that enables businesses to make real and ongoing environmental improvements. On meeting certain levels of good practice companies can receive the Green Mark award. Successful companies can opt to progress through environmental sustainability and environmental management system routes. The system was created by the London Environment Centre, part of London Metropolitan University. www.green-mark.co.uk
