We provide commercial, government and non-profit organisations with a range of services including:

Training Programs

The NCS offers a range of customised training programs to meet the needs of your organisation. We can work with you to develop all necessary resource material to support training and delivery in the workplace. We regularly facilitate training programs in sustainability reporting, environmental auditing, environmental management and resource management. In addition, we offer a predominantly online Postgraduate Certificate in Sustainability, which addresses the key sustainability challenges in terms of environmental, economic and social issues. The NCS works in partnership with Sustainability Victoria to deliver FirstRate Energy Rating Training for builders, designers and architects.

Sustainability Strategy Development

The NCS has created methodologies designed to take organisations through the process of reviewing and developing new sustainability strategies. We are also able to assist with detailed implementation planning and project management during the implementation phase. We have significant experience in the field of corporate and business strategy development. Areas of expertise include portfolio strategy development, marketing strategy development, market assessment and financial analysis. Programs such as the 'Business Transformer' and 'Business Sustainability Advocates' also provide advice and guidance on sustainable growth strategies and methods of implementation.

Stakeholder Engagement

We work with communities and organisations to undertake consultation and engagement. The process of engagement aims to maximise opportunities for people to be informed and have their concerns heard and taken into account, before decisions are made. A number of our projects centre around engaging communities in sustainability and working with communities to determine their specific needs to create community capacity.

Sustainability Reporting

The NCS is able to produce comprehensive sustainability reports for your organisation. A sustainability report provides a holistic account of the organisations activities and impacts and will help the organisation track its sustainability performance over time. We can work with you to integrate sustainability reporting into existing annual reports and advise on tools, processes, indicators, data collection, interpretation and suggestions.

Research

Our skill base is broad and multi-disciplinary, and can be applied to academic, industry-specific or organisation-specific research. We are able to design and manage sophisticated market research programs, using a range of qualitative and quantitative techniques. This research can inform the development of new marketing strategies for existing products and provide insights into potential barriers to uptake of new products and services. Market research can also measure attributes such as reputation and public opinion.

We are currently represented on:

	The Victorian Association for Environmental Education (VAEE)
	Working with the Australian Institute of Architects and the Sustainable Living Foundation
	The Committee for the Port Phillip Catchment Management Authority

In addition, our research has a strong focus on sustainability with the added dimension of foresight, future studies and scenario planning through our close links with the Faculty of Business and Enterprise.

Our Regional Partners

The University of Ballarat (UB) is the only dual sector regional University in Australia and is committed to developing a sustainable future for Western Victoria. NCS, UB provides educational leadership and works in partnership with industry, government and community to support the development of sustainable practices regionally, state-wide and nationally.

Sunraysia Institute of TAFE in Mildura works with local stakeholders, community and government agencies to achieve sustainability gains in land and water management across the Sunraysia region. Using a project model, the NCS works with community partners to make our landscapes and natural resources more sustainable e.g. www.tona.com.au/

South West Victoria is an energy and resource intense region with a strong economy, an enviable lifestyle, and specific sustainability challenges. As a member of the NCS and the South West Sustainability Partnership (SWSP), South West TAFE (SWT) recognises the crucial role that education in sustainability plays in the future security and prosperity of all Australians.

Challenger TAFE’s programs work with the WA State Sustainability and WA Water Strategies. Its dedication to sustainability was recognised when it won WA Large Training Provider awards for 2004 and 2005 and Australian Large Training Provider for 2005.

Areas of Current work - 2007

The NCS is currently working on the following projects:

	Designing a online diagnostic software tool for Small and Medium Sized Enterprises (SMEs) to promote more sustainable practices.
	Collaboration with the City of Boroondara to develop the ‘Living For Our Future’ program recently receiving recognition as a finalist in the United Nations Environment Awards 2006.
	A advisory role to Phillip Island Nature Parks to develop sustainability strategies to assist in the implementation of the PINP Management Plan 2006-2011.
	A ‘vetting' process for savewater!® alliance to maintain the integrity of the http://www.savewater.com.au product library.
	Engaging Fresh Green Clean to undertake development of assessment criteria for the Safe and Sustainable Indoor (SASI) Cleaning project.
	Support to Parks Victoria in the Conduct of Competency Assessment and Training for its Personnel
	The Business Transformer - an interactive learning hub using collaboration and facilitated adaptation of leading edge techniques to help SME’s to the path to sustainable growth.
	A strategic approach to implementing sustainability nationally into vocational education and training across industry through support from various State and Commonwealth entities.
	A sustainability strategy and action plan for Skybus Super Shuttle.
	Environmental memoir project supported by UNESCO Australia, to work with secondary teachers and students to collect personal reflections on environmental change, building on the existing international work.