The 5-day ISEP (formerly IEMA) Foundation Certificate — the recognised entry qualification in sustainability and environmental management, leading directly to Associate Membership (AISEP). Classroom, virtual or in-company.
Three ways to take the ISEP Foundation Certificate with KeyOstas — choose the format that fits you or your team.
The ISEP Foundation Certificate in Sustainability and Environmental Management is a 5-day (40-hour) entry-level qualification awarded by ISEP — the Institute of Sustainability and Environmental Professionals, formerly IEMA. It gives a broad grounding in environmental principles, sustainability and governance, is assessed by a 1-hour open-book online exam, and on passing leads directly to Associate Membership (AISEP).
It is the recognised first step for anyone moving into a sustainability or environmental role — or for health and safety, quality and operations professionals whose remit now includes environmental responsibilities. The AISEP designation it unlocks is a recognised professional credential, connecting you to ISEP’s global community, Transform magazine and ongoing CPD. KeyOstas delivers the Foundation Certificate as an ISEP-approved training partner, in public classrooms and virtual classrooms, and in-company for teams.
The Foundation Certificate is the entry point on the ISEP pathway. If you already work in sustainability day-to-day, a higher-level course may suit you better.
By the end of the five days you will have a working command of environmental and sustainability fundamentals — and an AISEP credential to prove it.
Explain how global environmental, social and economic trends affect organisations, products and services.
Relate core environmental and sustainable-governance principles to real organisational practice.
Outline the major policies and legislation that shape an organisation’s sustainability obligations.
Select tools, techniques and management systems that improve sustainability performance.
Collect, analyse and evaluate data to support sustainable decisions and identify risk and opportunity.
Engage stakeholders, capture feedback and support change that improves sustainability outcomes.
The syllabus is set by ISEP and delivered over five days through tutor-led sessions, discussion and applied exercises. It is organised around four themes.
There is one exam, taken at the end of the five days — and passing it does more than earn a certificate.
At the end of the course you sit a 1-hour, open-book, online multiple-choice exam covering the full syllabus. Because it is open-book, the focus is on understanding and applying the material rather than memorising it.
On passing you receive your certificate and are enrolled for one year of Associate Membership (AISEP), earning the AISEP professional suffix and access to ISEP’s community, Transform magazine and CPD resources.
The Foundation Certificate is built as a career foundation — a recognised credential (AISEP) plus the knowledge base that sustainability and environmental roles draw on.
Demand for sustainability skills is growing quickly as net-zero commitments, ESG reporting and environmental regulation expand across every sector. The Foundation Certificate is a credible first qualification for anyone moving toward a dedicated sustainability role, and a valuable addition for professionals in adjacent fields — health & safety, quality, operations, facilities — whose responsibilities now include the environment.
Passing the Foundation Certificate enrols you as an Associate Member of ISEP, with the AISEP professional suffix and a year of membership.
Completing the ISEP Certificate — the next qualification up — leads to Practitioner membership and the PISEP suffix.
As your experience and qualifications build, the ISEP pathway continues toward Chartered status — the senior professional benchmark.
If you have researched this course you will have seen both names. Here is what they mean.
KeyOstas has delivered health, safety and environmental training across the UK since 1984.
Passing the Foundation Certificate enrols you as an Associate Member of ISEP for a year.
Public classroom, live virtual classroom, or in-company at your premises UK-wide.
“The training received was some of the best Health & Safety training I have experienced in my 20 years of working in Health & Safety. KeyOstas are always happy to help and work out solutions for us.”
ISEP courses are delivered through approved training partners. Here is what training with KeyOstas gives you.
The Foundation Certificate is delivered to the ISEP standard, so your certificate and AISEP membership are fully recognised.
Four decades of health, safety and environmental training, led by experienced tutors with real industry backgrounds.
Public classroom dates, live virtual classrooms, and in-company delivery at your premises anywhere in the UK.
Your course price includes the ISEP exam and certification — no separate fees to budget for.
From first enquiry to certificate, a dedicated team handles your booking, joining instructions and tailored requirements.
KeyOstas holds strong independent reviews from learners and employers who return to us course after course.
KeyOstas delivers the full range of ISEP environmental sustainability training.
A practical one-day introduction to environmental sustainability for the whole workforce — no prior knowledge needed.
View the course →A two-day course giving managers and supervisors the tools to implement sustainability across their team.
View the course →See upcoming classroom and virtual dates, or talk to our team about in-company training for your organisation anywhere in the UK.
