Sustainability in Energy Micro-Credential

Program overview

The Sustainability in Energy^® Micro-Credential (SEMC) is a free learning program designed to boost skills and get you ready for the job market. The program introduces you to the key skills needed to tackle the most critical challenges facing energy today, including:

Climate change

Environmental and
socioeconomic sustainability

Energy security

Indigenous reconciliation

Level up your skills to get a career in energy in Canada.

What is a
Micro-Credential?

High impact, short-term, flexible learning on key ESG and sustainability topics
A new way to develop specialized job-ready skills that help grow your career
An e-learning program that complements existing energy qualifications

This program is designed for students and new graduates in Canada.

Students in engineering, geoscience, technologists, IT and other STEM

Students in Trades (Mechanics, Pipefitters, Surveyors, Welders, etc.)

Students in Corporate services (Legal, HR)

Students in Business (Accounting, Finance, Marketing and Supply Chain)

Get ready for sustainability and ESG jobs!

No matter what your area of study is, this program equips you, this program equips students with the necessary skills needed to elevate a career in the energy industry.

Apply now

Hear from our learners

Here is what some of our learners have said about the Micro-Credential:

“This program exceeded my expectation. The content was very well developed and objective, balancing different views. The interviews of recognized experts are well done. The digital platform is intuitive. It helped prepare me to take on a sustainability role. I would whole heartedly recommend the program to others!”

“I advise energy focused clients on capital markets matters. The knowledge and skills gained in this program arm me with a more fulsome understanding of the issues energy producers are and will face in this country.”

“This course is designed perfectly in terms of course content. The curriculum includes in-depth knowledge about ESG and energy parameters. This micro-credential course will be helpful to everyone, who would like to transition their career in the energy sector.”

“This program has reshaped my understanding of climate change, its impact & sustainability drivers for the Energies sector. And how wholesome engagement & modern technologies are here to play a bigger role in addressing sustainability initiatives.”

Program structure

The Micro-Credential is a 35-hour interactive learning journey focused on developing an understanding of sustainability concepts in the energy industry.

The curriculum includes industry case studies, showing best practices in integrating sustainability and ESG into corporate activities, interviews with experts on current and future challenges, and in-depth spotlights for specific occupations showing how sustainability goals and ESG strategies could affect their responsibilities.

The Micro-Credential is divided into 12 courses covering four major focus areas:

Sustainability in the energy industry
Environment
Social
Governance

Participants will be assessed throughout to demonstrate their proficiency in the subject matter. They must pass all assessments before receiving the micro-credential.

Value for learners

The energy industry needs you!

There are interesting and high paying jobs in energy. This micro-credential equips you with the knowledge to compete for a role.

In-demand skills

Sustainability is a key challenge in the energy sector. Employers are looking for these skills. This Micro-Credential equips you to help the industry move towards a sustainable future.

Career path

There are many exciting roles focused on sustainability in the energy industry. This Micro-Credential sets you up for career in energy.

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Value for Employers

Employers will highly value the training provided by SEMC. Students are receiving training on the key issues impacting the energy industry.

Industry led, industry approved curriculum

We surveyed over 200 Canadian energy professionals to understand the impact of sustainability and ESG strategies on their roles. In-depth interviews with industry leaders, Indigenous voices, and sustainability experts helped shape our curriculum.

Experienced and knowledgeable

This program has been developed by Geologic, which provides industry specific courses for the Canadian energy industry. More than 1900 learners have taken the Micro-Credential.

Syllabus

Topic 1. Sustainability in the Energy Industry

Learning objectives:

Examine energy system complexities that arise related to the energy trilemma (sustainability/security/affordability).
Explore the role of professionals in a rapidly evolving industry and identify skills that are helpful to stay current in the energy industry.
Understand the key concepts of sustainability and global goals that give direction to sustainable development.

Learning objectives:

Relate comprehensive data measurements to improved operational responsibility, increased investor confidence, and reduced regulatory risk.
Understand the key business term ESG as it relates to operationalizing responsible business practice and increasing investor confidence.
Identify various types of material non-financial disclosures, categorized into mandatory and voluntary disclosure types.

Learning objectives:

Recognize key considerations for building a comprehensive sustainability narrative, including accuracy, balance, comparability, and credibility.
Compare and understand defining features of common sustainability and ESG reporting standards, including GRI, SASB, CDP, TCFD, and UNSDG.
Understand sustainability reporting communication and how these translate to fit-for-purpose communication methods (e.g., data sheets, website, dashboards, reports).

Learning objectives:

Differentiate between legislation and regulation as it relates to enacting energy law.
Describe the role of the regulator at the federal and provincial level. Explain how government departments and regulators interact.
Explore various policy instruments and regulatory approaches, like carrots and sticks, and market-based mechanisms.

Topic 2. Environment

Learning objectives:

Examine climate change global effects, effects on industry, and effects on Canada.
Identify tensions in priorities as governments, industry, and society address effects of climate change.
Discuss climate change opportunities in the categories of technological, economic, and social opportunities.

Learning objectives:

Describe the effects and global warming potential (GWP) of common greenhouse gases (GHGs).
Understand the GHG emissions profile of the energy industry and examine emissions reporting requirements in Canada.
Identify the common standards for measuring GHG emissions and differentiate between direct and indirect GHG emissions (Scope 1, 2, 3 emissions).

Learning objectives:

Distinguish between emissions reduction and emissions elimination, identifying technologies and approaches within each category.
Discuss emissions reduction ‘low hanging fruit’ technologies, including addressing fugitive emissions, process optimization, and fuel switching.
Discuss emissions elimination technologies, including electrification of energy, carbon capture, and low-carbon fuels.
Examine systems-thinking approaches for reducing emissions, including circular economy and collaboration networks.

Learning objectives:

Describe the critical linkage between water, climate, and climate change. Recognize key challenges resulting from water scarcity.
Define common water management measurements, including water withdrawals, consumption, and intensity.
Explore approaches to managing oil and gas sector water use. Understand industry sub-sector water demands and management strategies.
Recognize key approaches to water management and water-use reduction, including conservation, water recycling, water alternatives, and safe disposal of produced water.

Learning objectives:

Identify key land and air quality management concerns for the energy sector, including land disturbance, tracking biodiversity, hydrocarbon spill prevention, and asset retirement.
Recognize best practice land and air quality management metrics, including area of land disturbance, biodiversity indicator species health, and volumes of hydrocarbon spills and recoveries.
Understand available options for land and air quality management approaches available, including project life cycle and cumulative effects land use planning, and planned management of retired assets.

Topic 3. Social

Topic 4. Governance

Learning objectives:

Define the role and function of corporate governance, with emphasis on best practices for strong governance.
Describe how risk assessment leads to an expanding definition of materiality. Recognize how shareholder and stakeholder primacy both play a role in organizational decision making.
Identify common guiding principles of responsible business conduct and the organizations involved in providing thought leadership on this topic.

Download syllabus

Looking to get started?

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Boost your career with Sustainability skills