Background
The environment is important to everyone. Our economies demand the exploitation of natural resources and our life styles generate waste, much of which is discharged to the environment in solid, liquid and/or gas form. Whilst engineering and process solutions are available, there is a requirement for managers to develop skills which allow them to make the decisions on the most appropriate strategies to deal with environmental problems. In addition, there is growing legislation relating to the environment, covering areas as diverse as transport regulations, public registers of results monitoring, eco-audits, environmental impact assessment requirements and many more. Businesses are faced with duties of care which now have long time horizons and may be transferred from manager to manager as personnel come and go. In response to the needs and challenges WOI is establishing, in collaboration with key partners such as Barking and Dagenham College.

Vision
To deliver sustainable global education that meets the needs of individuals, communities, local businesses and industry with innovative skills-oriented environmental education

Mission Statement
WOI will contribute to the sustainability and vitality of communities and organisations through innovative, competency-based education programmes and services which equip people for successful careers in the emerging environmental industry and marketplace.

Objectives:

• To be an innovative sustainable training organisation with a global vision:
• Focusing on skills transfer and sustainability issues
• Delivering environmental education
• Supporting managers, technical staff, young people  and students in general in their careers with pathways in the following expanding roles:
• Technical and practical environmental work such as recycling, arboriculture and countryside management
• Management and business with sustainability and management of the environment as a primary purpose
• Environmental management as a profession