Environmental education is often limited to early childhood education and it is not the usual topic when discussing adult specialist vocational education, especially in technical fields. However, SYKLI Environmental school of Finland has made the sustainability aspect the main attraction in its study programs.
Learning in practice
SYKLI trains professionals working in various technical fields, such as water and waste management as well as experts dealing with low carbon emissions and sustainable energy. These experts and professional come to Sykli to gain more information on sustainable practices and, in the meantime, to earn their specialist vocational qualification. The studies take approximately 1,5 years and include both practical information on their particular field as well as incorporate sustainability and aspects of circular economy, all wrapped in the same study package.
Dissiminating sustainability
As a result of the study program, professionals can incorporate sustainable practices in their everyday tasks as well as help their organisation become more efficient, greener, safer, more sustainable, and more. The studies include a development project done at workplace to develop the overall practices or a particular aspect of it, and these projects often yield permanent results. People studying to improve their professional competence play also an important role in the system change towards a greener, more sustainable society, where every organisation and every professional has their significance.
Inspiration is limitless
While technical fields have been trained at Sykli for 20 years already, new viewpoints are taken into account each year and latest trends are being followed. A worker at a water utility or a waste management company can have a significant impact on how their organisation develops its operations, but also people working at municipalities can benefit from a practical take on sustainability. Experts on energy issues, real estate, quality and safety can all learn how to incorporate sustainable practices as an undistinguishable part of day to day activities. In order to take on the systemic change towards a greener society, a paradigm shift needs to occur – and this is done by including each member of the society, not just the people working in the environmental field.
