Training and employability, competences from an e-learning undergraduate programme in environmental sciences

Martinho, Ana Paula; Caeiro, Sandra; Caetano, Fernando J. P.; Azeiteiro, Ulisses; Nicolau, Paula Bacelar

http://hdl.handle.net/10400.2/3626

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Authors

Martinho, Ana Paula

Caeiro, Sandra

Caetano, Fernando J. P.

Azeiteiro, Ulisses

Nicolau, Paula Bacelar

Abstract(s)

The trail to sustainability requires revolutionising the way environmental professionals perceive and solve environmental problems. The challenge is to prepare them to cope with societal economic and technical changes, to maintain a job and a positive role in the quest for sustainability. The environmental sector is gradually moving from an ‘end-of-pipe’ approach to environmental management holistic, process-based approaches, which require an entire new set of technical, social and individual skills and competences. Environmental professionals have to acknowledge the different dimensions and complexity of environmental issues, through a more proactive attitude and development of integrated solutions. In a globalisation context, environmental professionals have to develop social, ethical, creative, personal and interpersonal skills in addition to technical competences to be of value in attaining sustainability. These skills are also necessary for university environmental graduates to enter the labour market and improve their employability. This study aims to assess the development and acquisition of key skills and competences in the 1st cycle degree programme of Environmental Sciences at the Universidade Aberta, the Portuguese Distance Learning University, and their contribution to the employability of its graduates. For the assessment a questionnaire survey was conducted to the graduated students. The results are discussed within the European Tuning framework for higher education programs.