Sustainability is a broad and sometimes confusing field of practice.

Skills for Sustainability highlights a range of  issues, concepts and examples of sustainability practice. It aims to provide a starting point for people who want to improve the sustainability performance of their business. The site provides general information to assist businesses and Registered Training Organisations (RTOs) to understand basic concepts, to know what additional information they may need and where to find it and to see how skills and qualifications can support sustainability practice.

The Skills for Sustainability website has been developed by Manufacturing Skills Australia (a national Industry Skills Council) to support the implementation of sustainability practices in enterprises and the delivery of training and skills development using the the MSS Sustainability Training Package (selected qualifications).

Information for businesses and learners

The ‘Learn about sustainability’ section of this website explains key concepts in sustainability. It also presents examples of sustainability practices in businesses. It is suitable for anyone who wants to understand sustainability and how to make sustainability improvements in day to day business operations.

Information for industry trainers and Registered Training Organisations

The ‘Skills and qualifications’ section explains the options for structured training on sustainability skills. These include the Australian nationally recognised units of competency and qualifications for Sustainable Operations (within business operations) and Environmental Monitoring and Technology (a more external focus) within the MSS Sustainability Training Package.  There is advice on how to work with industry to deliver training to meet their sustainability skills needs using the MSS Sustainability qualifications and Skill Sets.

The ‘Sustainability Skills Resources’ section provides detailed information, guides and multimedia resources. These resources will help industry trainers and RTOs to design and delivery quality competency based training and assessment for sustainability skills.

Note however that:

• The information is not intended to provide comprehensive technical material nor complete learning or assessment resources that cover all of the requirements of the MSS units of competency or qualifications.
• The implementation information is for guidance only and should not be interpreted as defining any requirements beyond those described in the MSS Sustainability Training Package.
• The information should also be interpreted in the context of the current requirements for Registered Training Organisations as set by relevant registering body (or bodies) and vocational education and training policy making agencies.