At Environmental Leadership Academy (ELA), we equip emerging environmental professionals with the knowledge, practical skills, and leadership mindset needed to address today’s most urgent sustainability challenges.
With a strong focus on waste management, circular economy systems, air quality, biodiversity, and environmental compliance, our programmes prepare students to contribute meaningfully to South Africa’s green economy and the achievement of the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals.
Why Environmental Leadership Academy?
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Industry-aligned Environmental Technician training (NQF Level 6)
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Immersive, experiential learning
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Field visits and practical workshops
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Expert facilitators with academic and industry expertise
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Strong focus on green economy and circular systems
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Community-based research and impact projects
We don’t just teach environmental science.
We develop environmental leaders.
Our Mission
Environmental Leadership Academy exists to develop environmental leaders who combine technical expertise, practical experience, and ethical responsibility to drive sustainable solutions for climate, biodiversity, and pollution challenges.
Our Vision
To develop knowledgeable and influential environmental professionals who drive transformative change and help build a sustainable, resilient, and economically ethical circular economy.
What Makes Us Different
At ELA, students gain hands-on experience through fieldwork, site visits, community research, and applied environmental legislation — bridging the gap between theory and professional practice.
About Us
OUR COURSES
Environmental Science Technician
NQF Level 6
Occupational Qualification | NQF Level 6 | 467 Credits
Programme Overview The Environmental Science Technician qualification prepares learners to monitor, assess, and manage environmental impacts in accordance with South Africa's environmental legislation and regulatory frameworks. Learners develop the practical and technical skills required to conduct environmental assessments, monitor compliance, manage environmental risks, and contribute to sustainable environmental management practices. This qualification combines theoretical knowledge, practical skills training, and workplace experience to ensure graduates are equipped to operate confidently within a range of environmental sectors.
What You Will Learn
Throughout the programme, learners will develop competencies in:
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Environmental legislation and regulatory compliance
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Environmental pollution monitoring and control
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Environmental ethics and professional practice
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Environmental monitoring and assessment techniques
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Environmental communication and technical reporting
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Sustainable waste management
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Air quality monitoring and control
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Natural resource conservation and biodiversity management
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Environmental risk assessment and mitigation
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Environmental sampling and data collection methods
Practical Skills Development
The programme places strong emphasis on practical application and industry readiness. Learners will gain hands-on experience in:
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Environmental sampling and monitoring
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Compliance inspections and auditing
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Waste management implementation
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Air quality monitoring
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Environmental risk management
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Ecosystem assessment
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Biodiversity monitoring
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Technical report writing
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Operation and maintenance of monitoring equipment
Workplace Integrated Learning (WIL)
A significant component of the qualification includes workplace-based learning, providing learners with real-world experience in environmental monitoring, compliance management, conservation activities, waste management practices, environmental reporting, and risk control measures.
Career Opportunities
Upon successful completion, graduates may pursue opportunities as:
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Environmental Science Technician
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Environmental Compliance Officer
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Environmental Monitoring Officer
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Waste Management Practitioner
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Air Quality Monitoring Officer
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Environmental Risk Officer
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Natural Resource Management Practitioner
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Environmental Consultant (Junior Level)
Exit Level Outcomes
Graduates will be able to:
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Implement environmental management functions in accordance with environmental legislation.
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Perform waste management functions to minimise pollution and protect human health.
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Conduct air quality monitoring and management activities.
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Apply conservation principles to support sustainable management of natural resources and ecosystems.
Qualification Structure
Component Credits
Knowledge Modules (Theory). 134
Practical Skills Modules. 98
Workplace Integrated Learning. 235
Total Credits. 467
Meet The Team
Mr Jacob D Seconna
CEO
As CEO of the Environmental Leadership Academy, Mr Jacob D. Seconna brings decades of experience in environmental management, training development, and sustainability education. He holds a Master’s Degree in Environmental Management from Erasmus University (Netherlands) and qualifications in Health Sciences and Environmental Management from CPUT. Mr Seconna has contributed extensively to environmental skills development as a Lead Developer for LGSETA environmental training materials and as an accredited Assessor and Moderator in Environmental Management and Environmental Health. His leadership is driven by a commitment to environmental literacy, practical training, and the development of future environmental professionals.
Chamuwari Keaton
Lecturer
Expertise within the Environmental Sector, Chamuwari Ketano is an environmental management professional, educator, and sustainability entrepreneur with experience spanning academia, skills development, and green enterprise development. He previously served as a lecturer within the Environmental Management Department at the Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT), where he contributed to the development and training of future environmental practitioners. During his academic tenure, he also facilitated specialist training programmes for Environmental Management Inspectors (EMIs). Driven by a passion for sustainable development and youth empowerment, Chamuwari later facilitated entrepreneurship and green economy initiatives at Gert Sibande TVET College, where he focused on equipping students with practical skills to establish student-owned businesses and environmentally focused enterprises. Chamuwari is the Founder and Director of The Green Loop (Pty) Ltd, a sustainability-focused enterprise committed to advancing the Circular Economy and strengthening local green industries. His work includes advocating for the integration and formal recognition of waste reclaimers within the waste management value chain, improving recycling systems through digital innovation, and exploring the agricultural and economic opportunities within South Africa’s emerging cannabis economy. He actively collaborates with environmental stakeholders and industry bodies, including the Buy Back Centre Association of South Africa, where he contributes to projects aimed at bridging the gap between informal waste collectors and the formal environmental sector. His work continues to focus on inclusive economic participation, environmental sustainability, and practical green skills development. Relevant Experience & Focus Areas: Environmental Management & Sustainability Education Environmental Management Inspector (EMI) Training Circular Economy & Waste Management Waste Picker Integration & Advocacy Green Enterprise & Youth Entrepreneurship Development Supply Chain Innovation & Recycling Systems Sustainable Agriculture & Cannabis Economy Studies
Peter Asemota
Lecturer
A seasoned and consummate environmental management scientist with over 15 years’ experience in teaching and learning. He is a registered assessor, moderator and learning material and curriculum developer. A member of the Institute of Waste Management of Southern Africa (IWMSA), International Association of Impact Assessment-IAIA (SA Affiliate) with experience in the environmental management and impact assessment studies. He is passionate about improving the institution's educational offerings, establishing trust and relationships with students and a demonstrated track record of achieving results. Relevant Qualifications : BSc (Hons) Geography; BSc (Hons) Environmental Sciences, MSc (Environmental Mangement), Cert in PLGL
Kezia Dreyer
General Administration, Examiner, Lecturer
Expertise within the environmental sector: Kezia has undergraduate expertise in biodiversity and conservation biology of terrestrial, marine, aquatic animals and plants. For her postgraduate studies she specialized in estuarine ecology, addressing critical topics such including disturbance and restoration dynamics at a popular site at Berg River Estuary. At this same site, for her master’s, she quantified blue carbon stocks associated with various important salt marsh vegetation and compared this with blue carbon stocks associated with habitats characterized by common disturbances at the estuary. This tackles the issue of climate change and how ecosystems like estuaries are essential blue carbon habitats that help mitigate the effects of climate change. Throughout her MSc, she has gained experience in environmental education (facilitation). More recently, during a SANParks internship, she has gained experience in marine sampling, data capturing, data analysis and report writing. Most recently, her research interests include (but are not limited to) seahorses, intertidal rocky sore monitoring, environmental qualifications development and environmental education. Relevant Qualifications: BSc (Honours) Biodiversity and Conservation Biology; MSc Biodiversity and Conservation Biology
Dr Brian Declarne
Lecturer & Researcher (Environmental Empowerment Group) focusing on Air Quality Management
Expertise within Environmental sector: At the start of his career, Brian Alphonso Delcarme was employed as a Senior Environmental Health Practitioner responsible for international food control, international disease control &; surveillance, and pollution control. He was later appointed as a Lecturer at the now Cape Peninsula University of Technology, responsible for training and developing future Environmental Health Practitioners and Environmental Managers, respectively. His desire and drive to facilitate social change resulted in being seconded as the Director for the W.K. Kellogg Foundation Project for a period of 3 years. His primary duties in the Project were (1) Provide strategic direction and leadership; (2) Leading and managing project teams; and (3) Ensure the successful conclusion community-based health care projects. He was appointed (2015-2022) as the Water Quality Monitoring Network Coordinator for the Water Research Commission with the main responsibility of leading a team of experts to effect change by addressing inequalities in water access and building capacity to ensure health and the livelihood of communities. Brian is a Research Associate for the Association of Water and Rural Development, involved with capacity building, skills development; and enhancing water security, environmental sustainability, and promoting health equity. Currently, he’s a researcher with the Environmental Empowerment Group focussing on Air Quality Management. Relevant Qualifications PhD (Healthcare Waste Information Systems) Master in Environmental Management Master Degree in International & Intercultural Management (Sustainable Development & Training)
Bernard Pick
Learning & Development Facilitator, Economist, Accountant (M.Tech. Cum laude)
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