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Climate change, resource scarcity and increasingly stringent European legislation mean that sustainability is no longer a 'nice to have'. It is a prerequisite for continuity.
According to Ronald Jansen, senior lecturer of the post-bachelor course in sustainability at Fontys in Venlo, the urgency is greater than ever. 'Anyone who follows the news sees that the need for sustainable transition can no longer be denied,' he says. 'Climate change and geopolitical developments affect organisations directly. Sustainability is therefore not only about ideals, but about risk management, future-proofing and strategic choices.'
Learn what organisations are struggling with now
The course was developed from a clear demand from the field. Many organisations want to become more sustainable, but do not know where to start. 'There is often a reluctance to act,' Ronald explains. 'Companies see that there is a lot going on, but lack the knowledge and structure to really take steps.' The first edition started in February; on 18 September the second batch starts. Participants consciously choose a hands-on approach. 'The great thing is that they get to work directly within their own organisations,' says Ronald. 'As a result, the training has impact from day one.'
Learning from practice
Participants come from a variety of sectors, which makes for rich cross-pollination.
- A construction professional works on circularity and smart material use.
- A participant from healthcare explores how real estate and operations can be made more sustainable.
- A participant from the food sector is looking at a more sustainable assortment and the role of protein transition in company restaurants.
Each participant works on their own practical case. 'Assignments are directly linked to the work situation,' says Ronald. 'This not only provides knowledge, but also concrete results, from energy savings to circular process improvements.' During the course, participants develop skills in change management, circular entrepreneurship, stakeholder management, life cycle analyses (LCAs) and sustainability reporting. Thus, they build a broadly applicable sustainability profile.
Training professionals who make a real difference
According to Ronald, good sustainability advice is about overview, systems thinking, connection and the ability to create movement. 'We train professionals who understand the complete sustainability issue and have sufficient depth to drive projects. They know when they can act on their own and when to call in experts.' His ambition is clear: 'That afterwards, participants start working as sustainable change agents. Not just talking about sustainability, but realising projects that make organisations future-proof.'
About Ronald Jansen
Ronald has a background as a business economist and worked for years as an innovation consultant. From that experience, his fascination for sustainability grew. Within Fontys, he is involved in the topic of sustainability within education, innovation issues and initiatives such as the Fontys Green Office, the Euregional Sustainability Center and the development of the Fontys-wide sustainability strategy.
Programme starts again in September 2026
More information about the post-bachelor programme Sustainability Advisor