7-20. Career Development and Training Strategies to Nurture Future EHS Leaders

To achieve sustainable growth, companies must cultivate future leaders in the EHS (Environmental, Health, and Safety) field. With tightening global regulations and the expansion of ESG investment, there is a growing demand for professionals with EHS expertise who can manage risk and create value from a management perspective. Therefore, a planned career development and training strategy is essential.

Designing a Systematic Career Path

The foundation of EHS leader development is a systematic career path.

• Entry-level employees should acquire foundational knowledge through basic occupational safety and health education and legal compliance training.

• Mid-career professionals should learn practical skills such as risk assessment methods and accident recurrence prevention planning.

• Managerial candidates must acquire advanced, business-oriented expertise, including an understanding of global regulations, supply chain management, human rights due diligence, and carbon management.

Providing Practical Experience

Practical experience is crucial for developing leaders. For example, involving them in environmental compliance projects at overseas locations or managing safety education programs with multinational teams helps them develop management skills in diverse cultural and regulatory environments. Allowing junior employees to participate in accident responses or audits also provides them with hands-on crisis management experience.

Leveraging Mentorship and Professional Networks

Utilizing mentorship programs and internal/external EHS professional networks is an effective way to support career development. Guidance from experienced superiors or experts helps employees hone not only their practical knowledge but also their leadership and stakeholder management skills. Additionally, providing opportunities to engage with the latest international standards and technological trends through academic societies and certification support is also important.

Defining the Ideal EHS Leader Profile

Companies should clearly define the profile of a desired EHS leader and reflect it in their evaluation and promotion criteria. It is essential to cultivate talent that can act as a strategic partner to enhance corporate value, rather than merely being a promoter of legal compliance.

Summary

A career development and training strategy for future EHS leaders is a key factor in strengthening a company's safety culture and boosting its global competitiveness. By combining systematic education, practical experience, mentorship, and a clear evaluation system, companies can produce EHS leaders who can succeed in a global environment.