South Africa has a need to manage and protect its natural resources and ecological systems, while simultaneously using its resources in a sustainable manner to promote social, physical and economic development.

People as individuals, and as members of social or workplace communities, need to become aware of their responsibilities towards the environment and to be empowered to make informed choices regarding their own activities and the impact that these activities have on the environment. There is also a need for people to develop practices which will ensure that their activities, individually and collectively, result in the sustainable use of resources and minimal negative impact on the environment.

This qualification will equip practitioners with the skills, knowledge and values to contribute towards the wise and effective use and management of our built environment, natural resources and ecological systems.

This qualification can be assessed in the context of:

• Waste management and related activities
• Water course cleaning, care and maintenance
• Care of public places, open areas, cultural and natural heritage sites 
• Maintenance of parks and sports fields 
• Community projects and job creation schemes relating to environmental practice 
• General industrial, extraction, i.e. activities with an environmental care or improvement focus