With the increasing interest in ISO14001 one question emerges: Whether environmental training relates positively and significantly with the maturity of the environmental systems?
Charbel Jose Chippetts Jabbour (2013) suggests that environmental Training (ET) relates positively and significantly with the environmental system maturity.
There are certainly different levels of organisational maturity in relation to environmental awareness. This maturity can be influenced by many factors and not only technical ( with cleaner technologies), but also organisational and human, relating to motivation and training of employees to achieve the goal of environmental management.
Recent studies suggest that ET is the major factor in motivating the workforce in achieving sustainability goals and advanced environmental approaches. ET is a training activity for cross-functional teams responsible for environmental management in organisations. The training is crucial for obtaining cleaner manufacturing as well as the implementation of the EMS in businesses. It increases the maturity of the environmental system.
Companies with EMS require continuous environmental training.
Charbel Jose Chippetts Jabbour (2013) examines 95 of Brazilian companies. Study suggests that there are 3 levels of environmental maturity:
Reactive level - the environmental management only reacts to environmental problems as the result of fines and penalties. Environmental system is often seen as an additional cost, reducer of competitive potential and a legal problem.
2. Preventive level. Here, it is assumed that the costs of the environmental management are lower when generation of pollution and environmental problems is prevented. Environmental issues are seen as a responsibility of only few people in the business with little strategic influence.
3. Proactive level. Companies benefit from environmental management - also known as strategic environmental management stage. This companies environmental efforts are part their competitive advantage. These companies benefit from the environmental management. It mobilises other areas of the business and environmental planning is part of strategic decisions, product development, manufacturing activities and communication with the stakeholders. Generally, these companies strongly invest in the corporate social responsibility.
The maturity increases with training. Therefore it must be considered as an important human and operational factor. It incorporates human management practices with strategic goals of the business. Employees change attitude, have new knowledge and skills.
Studies recommend four steps from identification of the training to evaluation of the results.
It proved to positively influence the teamwork. Companies provide both internal and external training for their employees. The study proves that organisations with best training have the most proactive environmental attitude and high sustainable performance.
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