Students at UCW are developing practical, industry-relevant skills through hands-on learning led by experienced Environmental Health Practitioner Tony Higgins.
Tony delivers UCW’s Environmental Protection module, covering a range of technical disciplines, including air quality control, contaminated land, environmental noise, environmental permitting, waste management and water pollution.
With nearly 30 years of experience in local government regulation and more than 15 years as an independent environmental consultant, Tony brings extensive professional expertise into the classroom. He is also Director of Enviroconsult Ltd, providing regulatory and compliance advice on environmental and planning matters.
As part of the module, Tony organises a practical noise-monitoring activity at Weston’s Winter Gardens, giving students the opportunity to apply their learning to a realistic environmental health scenario.
This activity challenged students to monitor noise levels, interpret their findings, carry out mathematical adjustments where necessary, and recommend measures to reduce the impact. Students then produce a report based on their results, developing skills directly relevant to professional environmental protection work.
The activity helps students understand how environmental health principles are applied in practice, preparing them for careers across local authorities and the private sector. By working with experienced practitioners and tackling realistic scenarios, students gain valuable technical knowledge and practical experience to support their future employability.
Curriculum Co-ordinator for Environmental Health, Nahum Kidan explained the importance of bringing professional expertise into the learning experience:
“We want to ensure that our students and degree apprentices develop the knowledge and practical skills that are valued by employers across the Environmental Health profession. We therefore engage highly experienced and technically skilled practitioners, such as Tony, to bring current professional expertise into the classroom. This helps our students develop skills that will stand them in good stead throughout their careers, whether they go on to work in the public, private or third sectors, while enhancing their employability.”
Through its Environmental Health provision, UCW continues to connect academic learning with professional practice, ensuring students and degree apprentices develop the skills and experience needed to take their next steps in the environmental health profession.
Find out more about our Environmental Health Practitioner Degree Apprenticeship and our BSc Public and Environmental Health degree by clicking the links!
