FMJ Facilities Management magazine providing industry-specific intelligence to FM and property professionals
A new route into a career in environmental health has opened in the East of England.
The University of Suffolk’s Environmental Health Degree Apprenticeship has now been accredited by the Chartered Institute of Environmental Health (CIEH).
This new apprenticeship will support students to become registered Environmental Health Practitioners (EHPs). By combining paid employment with academic study, apprentices gain hands-on experience alongside in-depth professional knowledge, preparing them to tackle vital issues ranging from food safety and housing standards to environmental protection and public health.
There are now five CIEH‑accredited Environmental Health Degree Apprenticeships available across England. Their expansion reflects the growing national demand for new EHPs and the essential role environmental health plays in ensuring safer, cleaner and healthier communities.
The launch of the course at the University of Suffolk marks a significant milestone for the profession, filling a long-standing gap in provision within the East of England.
Jon Buttolph, Executive Director of Professional Standards at CIEH, said: “We are delighted have a new CIEH-accredited degree apprenticeship at the University of Suffolk. This is a hugely important development for the East of England, a region that has been without an accredited environmental health course for many years, as well as a great step forward for our strategic priority to achieve a sustainable environmental health profession.”
Sam Chenery-Morris, Executive Dean of School of Business, Arts, Social Sciences & Technology, said: “The accreditation of our Level 6-degree apprenticeship is another milestone for the University as we develop our degree level apprenticeship portfolio. The course was developed to address the lack of Environmental Health Officers in our region and illustrates how the university works with local employers to fill skills gaps.”
To find out more about the CIEH-accredited Environmental Health Degree Apprenticeships, including the course at the University of Suffolk, click here.
FMJ and Watco Webinar: Meeting compliance in a new culture of accountability
From January 2026, the Building Safety Regulator (BSR) formally separated from the Health and Safety Executive (HSE). Created under the Building Safety Act 2022 in response to the Grenfell Tower tragedy, the BSR is designed to raise safety standards across the built environment and introduce a stronger culture of accountability, transparency, and proactive risk management.
This shift places facilities managers in a more strategic safety assurance role – far beyond routine maintenance.
FMJ and Watco are hosting a webinar on 22 April at 11:00am to explore what this new regulatory landscape means for FMs. To register for the webinar click here.
Can’t make it no problem…
Simply register above and after the webinar has been broadcast, we will send you a link to watch the recording.
