Today, more than ever, the environment is a top priority. Against a backdrop of ecological and energy transition, environmental professions have never recruited so much. Whether emerging, evolving, or more traditional, they are all linked to various current environmental issues and offer excellent prospects and strong employability. However, you still need to be sufficiently well trained to be able to access them. The ERE school in Rennes offers several environmental training courses with a variety of career opportunities. What are they? Find out in this article!
The environment: a variety of career opportunities
Environmental jobs are accessible to all skill levels and fall into several categories:
- Nature conservation
- The energy transition
- Pollution
- The environment and society
- Land use planning.
As for career opportunities, there are many, and they fall into two main categories:
- Eco-activities: whose mission is to preserve the environment.
- Green jobs: traditional jobs that incorporate an ecological dimension.
Among the booming professions, some stand out due to high demand from companies. Here they are:
- Water treatment: 21.4% of job offers related to environmental protection concern water treatment. There are many related professions: water treatment engineer (five years of higher education), water quality measurement technician (two years of higher education), hydrobiologist (engineering degree specializing in biology), water treatment plant manager (five years of higher education), etc.
- Waste treatment: accounts for 40% of new job offers in 2024 compared to 2023. These professions play a key role in ecological transition and sustainability: waste treatment technician (two years of post-secondary education), methanization engineer (five years of post-secondary education), waste management consultant (two years of post-secondary education for technician level or five years for engineer level), etc.
- Prevention of environmental risks. More and more job offers are related to this sector. Companies are recruiting both technicians and engineers: CSR managers (five years of higher education), environmental research officers (five years of higher education), environmental and industrial risk engineers (five years of higher education), environmental safety technicians (two years of higher education), radioactive waste disposal agents (two years of higher education), etc.
- Energy performance. Careers related to renewable energy are on the rise. These include: renewable energy and energy efficiency engineer (five years of higher education), climate engineering technician (two years of higher education), renewable energy development officer (two years of higher education), wind power or renewable energy project manager (five years of higher education), etc.
- Maintenance and protection of natural areas. Professionals in this sector are in high demand: naturalist research officers (five years of higher education), hunting technicians (high school diploma or two years of higher education), etc.
Regardless of the profession in the chosen environment, specialized training is essential.
The ERE school trains tomorrow's environmental experts
The School of Environmental Responsibility (ERE), located on The Land campus in Rennes, offers several training courses, from BTS to Master's degrees, providing access to careers in the environmental sector. Through a rich and professionalizing program, students develop solid cross-disciplinary skills in the environment and sustainable development, which are essential for supporting companies in their ecological transition.
The program includes: transition project management, environmental project marketing, green communication, transition business management, environment and transition (CSR, carbon footprint, eco-label), biology, applied microbiology and ecology, social responsibility and sustainable development, impact measurement (carbon, social, etc.), and more.
The curriculum is designed to train both technicians, for the operational management of environmental issues, and managers or executives, who are responsible for implementing a strategic environmental approach within the company.
Finally, another advantage of the ERE school in Rennes is that it calls on professionals from the sector to teach most of its courses, thus allowing students to benefit from a realistic view of the market.
Career opportunities in the environmental sector after completing a BTS at ERE
The BTS in Environmental Services trains future specialists in the organization and implementation of services in the field of environmental management (water management, pollution control, etc.). Here are some of the career opportunities offered by this program:
- Waste treatment technician
- Industrial environmental technician
- Recycling technician (reuse, circular economy, social and solidarity economy)
- HSE Technician (Health, Safety, Environment)
- QSE/SD Coordinator (Quality, Safety, Environment, and Sustainable Development)
- QSE (Quality, Safety, Environment) Assistant
- Area Manager
- Pollution Treatment Site Manager
- Research Officer
- Assistant to the Head of General Services
- Account Manager, Cleaning Sector
- Technical sales representative for energy (wind turbines, solar panels, etc.).
It is entirely possible to enter the workforce after completing this BTS program or to continue your studies with the Bachelor's and Master's degrees offered by ERE.
Career opportunities in the environmental sector after completing a bachelor's degree at ERE
The Bachelor's degree in Environmental and Societal Transition Project Management enables students to acquire the key skills needed to implement projects tailored to current and future environmental, societal, and economic challenges. Here are a few examples of career opportunities offered by this program:
- Societal and Environmental Transition Project Manager
- Ecological transition support officer
- Sustainable Development and Environment Advisor
- Energy transition and ecology consultant
- QSE/QHE/HSE Coordinator
- Research Officer
- Business transition manager
- Project Manager
- Sustainable Development Communications Officer
- HR Manager (workforce planning, inclusion, IT/HR manager)
- HSE Manager
- CSR Manager.
After completing your bachelor's degree, you can enter the job market or choose to continue with a master's degree to gain access to positions with greater responsibility.
Career opportunities in the environmental sector after completing a Master's degree at ERE
The Master's degree in Strategic Environmental Issues prepares professionals responsible for implementing sustainable development strategies within companies. Here are some examples of careers that can be pursued after completing this comprehensive master's degree:
- Sustainable Development Coordinator
- Sustainable Development/CSR Consultant
- Social and environmental auditor
- Sustainability Certification Auditor
- Eco advisor/mediator
- Head of Environmental Transition / Sustainable Mobility / CSR
- Director of the regional ecological transition project
- Quality/QSE/CSR Director.
The environmental sector offers a wide range of opportunities across all fields and skill levels. Training is essential to acquire the skills needed for careers in the environmental sector and to gain access to them without too much difficulty. ERE offers several comprehensive courses that meet market requirements.
