Posted By Dave Wilson Arron, I have found them to be very inflexible in the standards they want, even if you have a doctorate in Env management for 20 years you still have to go through process of AIEMA open book etc. I am an EHO and also completed the Sp Dip Env man but you still cannot get AIEMA even though the NEBOSH Sp Dip is longer and more in depth than their qualifican. Ho hum!

Posted By Dave Wilson That OK mate but IEMA and NEBOSH both do 'Certificates' in Env Management but IEMA do not recognise it for AIEMA so didn't take the process any further as would not get any benefit from what is quite a bit of work. Shame really as these two organisations have been fighting for a couple of years over this. I was told that with my SpDipEM I could get AIEMA but this is still not resolved. Bit like the old BSC and IOSH / NEBOSH debate (Mr Tye and all that) So anyone out there if you want AIEMA do one of their accredited courses and not NEBOSH SpDipEM, that said you can use this designation if you wish.

Posted By Louisa Redpath There is a new route to AMIEMA via an nvq type route called Applied Learning. As far as I know he only centre currently registered for this new qualification is the one I am with, is Corporate Risk Systems. The advantage it seems to me is that as it has been developed with IEMA directly it maps across to all their standards and requirements, and thus on completion of my portfolio I get AMIEMA without an exam. Really enjoying it at the moment, I will keep you informed. Louisa

Posted By DavidW I've been a member of the IEMA for several years now and always found them really helpfull when I've had questions about membership etc. After I read this thread I contacted IEMA and their reply is posted below. I also teach the Associate member course and find that people come on that from many different backgrounds. Some with quite in depth knowledge of specific environmental areas and others just starting their quest for environmental understanding. The course provides a broad level of knowledge and understanding of the underlying environmental issues and the issues relating to implementing an EMS. If you feel you already have sufficient knowledge and understanding their is nothing to stop you doing the national open book exam held (I think) twice a year. Hope this and the info below helps. "IEMA Associate membership is the knowledge based level. As qualifications and degrees vary in content so much there is a requirement for members to demonstrate that they meet the Associate criteria. One route is through the Open Book Assessment, which if you do have training or a degree in an environmental subject should be straight forward. Alternatively for those without the background there is the IEMA Approved Associate Certificate Course. More recently the IEMA has approved an applied learning route whereby members can build a portfolio to demonstrate that they have met the Associate criteria – this is again through an IEMA Approved Course provider. IEMA Full membership is the experienced based level. The process for applying is through a written application and interview, demonstrating that you meet the Full membership criteria. The IEMA also offers a combined application route for both Full membership and Chartered Environmentalist".

Posted By Dave Wilson Got a response from IEMA yesterdy and this is their response Thank you for your email regarding the IEMA recognition of the NEBOSH course. The IEMA have been working with NEBOSH for the last few years, but as yet the approval has not been granted. It is unlikely to change before mid-year – if at all. Never mind eh!

Posted By Ironbath Yes, Arran, let's get back to your original question! I became a full MIEMA some years ago via the telephone interview. It did feel a little strange but was okay. The most important thing is that you need to be in a private office with no one to distract you. Any telephone conference can be quite difficult - especially when you don't know the other participants - and there is a little bit of talking over each other (mainly by the interviewers). The most difficult aspect is that the interviewers don't introduce themselves so you have no idea about their background - normally I like to know who I am talking to! Your benefit is that they don't know you either. They only have your CV and your paper, so study that and think about how you can elaborate on any of the aspects that you have highlighted. For example if you've said you've established 14001 find an answer to " What was the most difficult barrier to introducing 14001?" I think a fairly standard question is :"What are the 3 biggest environmental challenges in the world". In my opinion the answers are climate change, waste disposal and resource consumption growth in the developing world, but you can say anything that you like as long as you can justify it. At the level of MIEMA there are no right or wrong answers so be confident and plan a case to back up your theory. It is also likely that they will question you on your paper to make sure you actually wrote it! So re-read it and check your references. I can't imagine many people fail the interview if they have submitted a good application, so good luck, and please report back how it goes!