Green Steps - About the University course

The Green Steps program consists of two phases: training and a work placement.

Training runs over two weekends and covers five key areas. The course is highly interactive and teamwork features prominently.

Green Steppers put what they have learnt into practice through a work-based placement.

Training

Green Steps training is a 30 hour course covering the following key competencies:

1. Environmental issues and responses: such as waste, energy and water, and an understanding of organisational responses to environmental issues.
2. Environmental auditing: an introduction to waste, energy, water auditing, and conducting staff interviews and surveys.
3. Project planning and management: action plan design, problem map creation and creative solution development.
4. Communication for change: effective communication to foster change within organisations, including professional presentation and report-writing, compiling promotional materials, constructing coherent arguments and negotiation skills.
5. Behavioural change management: understanding the role of the change agent, personal and organisational drivers, behavioural change theory and practice.

Training is delivered in an informal, engaging, and hands-on style, drawing on the experience of the group to facilitate learning. Specialist guest speakers and former Green Steps participants also share their experiences with the group.

Work Placement

The work placement is an exciting opportunity for Green Steps participants to put skills learnt during the training phase into practice in a real-life context, for a host organisation.

Students seek out host organisations in a field that most interests them. They receive support and assistance from Green Steps staff in organising placements and negotiating projects.

Work placements create and enhance professional networks, while advancing career opportunities – particularly useful for university students looking to enter the environmental sector.

Examples of host organisations, projects, and further details around payment and timing of work placements are available on the Work Placements page.

What do former Green Steppers say about the course?

"This course has given me the confidence and approach to know how to begin effectively challenging the way things are done. " (Melbourne Region, Semester 2, 2007)

"It was one of the best things I have done throughout my university studies." (Flinders University, Adelaide, Semester 1, 2007)

"I now have the tools and knowledge to work towards environmental change. Trainers were so supportive and genuinely interested in everything we had to say. Thanks!" (Griffith University, Brisbane, Semester 2, 2007)

"The group work was good - it really highlighted the different ways in which people tackle a problem and helped me see more than one solution to the same issue." (Melbourne Region, Semester 2, 2007)

"[Green Steps] provides skills that I would not otherwise have learnt at uni." (Melbourne Region, Semester 2, 2007)

"I am more confident knowing there are like-minded and intelligent people out there wanting to help initiate change." (Sydney Region, Semester 2, 2007)