Strengthening Businesses via Focus on Career Enhancement for Employees
On March 19, 2020, a thought-provoking webinar on Pollution Prevention (P2) took place, featuring speakers from various organisations. The event, which aimed to demonstrate how businesses can integrate P2 practices into their professional development programs, was attended by Walter Schoepf from EPA Region 2's Pollution Prevention Section, Mark Wolf from the NYC Chapter of the International Society of Sustainability Professionals, Bob Rossi from the NY Sustainable Business Council, C. Stewart Slater from Rowan University's Department of Chemical Engineering, and Kirti Yenkie, also from Rowan University's Department of Chemical Engineering.
The webinar highlighted key approaches to P2 education and training, emphasising the importance of specialist certification and training programs, hands-on, applied learning methods, integration with professional growth and credentialing, collaboration and partnership-based delivery, and a focus on emerging environmental issues and regulatory compliance.
One example given was the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency’s Smart Salting training, which equips professionals with knowledge on reducing chloride pollution by optimising water softener use. This training combines environmental impact education with actionable steps to prevent pollution and is offered in formats accessible for on-the-job learning or community-wide training.
The webinar also emphasised the need for interactive workshops, simulations, and case studies to engage participants actively. These methods help learners connect P2 principles to real-world situations, making the training more effective and relevant. DIY experiments and role-playing exercises were also mentioned as reinforcements for sustainable behaviours and environmental stewardship.
The speakers also discussed how P2 trainings are embedded within broader professional development frameworks, offering recognised certifications or continuing education credits. Such credentials help professionals demonstrate their competencies in pollution prevention and sustainability, which supports career advancement and organisational goals.
Partnerships with local agencies, environmental groups, and employers were highlighted as a means to host trainings, extend reach, and contextualise P2 practices within specific industries or communities. These partnerships enhance the accessibility and relevance of the training content and support ongoing learning ecosystems.
The webinar also addressed the importance of focusing on emerging environmental issues and regulatory compliance. Trainings were updated to include current topics such as chloride pollution, stormwater management, and sustainability challenges, helping participants understand both the technical and regulatory context of pollution prevention.
The webinar concluded with a focus on the strategic role of P2 in helping organisations become more sustainable over time. It was emphasised that universities can support pollution prevention programs within government through service learning models, and that some organisations bring together businesses committed to a sustainable economy.
Individual pdf files for each speaker's presentation are available for download, and recordings of the webinar are available for viewing. Past P2 webinars are also reviewable, and information about registering for upcoming P2 webinars is provided.
In summary, the webinar provided valuable insights into how organisations can integrate P2 practices into their professional development programs. By offering specialist, interactive, and credentialed trainings that are closely tied to participants’ professional roles, organisations can effectively communicate and implement P2 practices in the workplace and community settings. This strategic approach was illustrated by the examples and speakers in the March 19, 2020 P2 webinar.
- The March 19, 2020 P2 webinar underscored the significance of specializing in environmental science and embracing training programs for pollution prevention, as these can contribute to health-and-wellness and the environment.
- To make training more engaging and effective, the webinar suggested incorporating hands-on, applied learning methods, interactive workshops, simulations, and case studies, emphasizing the connection between P2 principles and real-world situations.
- Recognizing the importance of sustainability and pollution prevention in today's professional environment, the webinar highlighted the value of education-and-self-development programs that offer recognized certifications or continuing education credits, thereby fostering career advancement and organizational goals.
