"In response to your request about how the CHSEP program has assisted me in my OH&S role in construction; I believe one of the most important aspects was the focus of the program being on the advanced process skills required to be a successful OH&S professional, rather than simply focusing on the regulatory/compliance and technical aspects of OH&S. The program offered a wide range of in-depth subjects which allowed me to expand my knowledge of OH&S and enhance my critical thinking skills. It can be too easy to simply identify from a set of regulations, the bare minimum needed "to be legal" and then say, "We'll deal with problems if/when they arise."
Also, many aspects of financial health in the construction industry are tied to meeting deadlines, producing at high levels and minimizing costs. Progressing through the curriculum and researching and completing the Guided Practicum gave me an invaluable (for me and my place of employment) understanding of the cost-effectiveness of OH&S for an organization's bottom line - a truly essential concept when communicating with management regards the importance taking a proactive approach to OH&S and gaining their support for new initiatives. During the completion of the CHSEP, and Practicum in particular, one statement seemed to stand out from the course-content - "It is not enough to speak the language of management. Effective interaction now demands that one is able to think like management." Acquiring this skill will help in keeping with the ideal of continuous improvement of any OH&S program as it will always be necessary to have support from management - if management cannot see the financial benefit, they might look at it as, "a nice idea, but an unnecessary cost to be avoided." One must be able to anticipate questions/doubts from management and have as many answers and supporting information as possible regards the costs/rewards when approaching management about improving the program.
The CHSEP also helped to reinforce and expand on such concepts as:
While various provincial training programs and designations for OH&S certifications may vary from one jurisdiction to the next, they would all seem to have at least one thing in common; they all seem to focus on being able to correctly interpret, apply and enforce various rules, regulations and codes of practice. While these types of activities are of course an integral part of any OH&S program, they are not the "end-all and be-all" of OH&S. The CHSEP develops and hones invaluable critical-thinking skills and provides the learner with a full toolbox of process skills that can be applied in any industry or jurisdiction, which is more and more important in a world whose economy and workforce is becoming more and more globalized.
I would again like to express my extreme satisfaction with the entire CHSEP experience, and I am already giving consideration to enrolling in UFRED's new Professional Diploma program.
I look forward to our next conversation and another opportunity to work together.
Regards,
Kerim (Kerry) Alemdar
Safety Supervisor
Dexter Construction Company Ltd.
"Many thanks for the best safety course I have ever been on.
I have done several certificate programs and one University Safety Diploma when I lived "across the pond" many years ago. This course has been outstanding and I will recommend it to everyone."
Many thanks,
Nick Mulcahy (Graduate September 2009)
"As a CAW Health and Safety Representaive I feel it is important to upgrade my education to best represent my membership The Certificate in Health, Safety and Environmental Processes, offered by Don Sayers and Associates at the University of Fredericton, gives me an opportunity to learn new perspectives in health and safety management that will benefit my workplace by providing me the knowledge and skills to make safety improvements on behalf of the members of my union. I reccommend this program to all health, safety and environment professionals, activists and union representatives."
Jamie Smith
"Hello, my name is Mona Rideout and I am a Safety Advisor practicing in the Oil Sands in Alberta, with my NCSO designation.
I would like to thank University of Fredericton for the opportunity they have given me to advance my career by offering the CHSEP course through the distance learning program.
This program has the most valuable information and learning lesson any Safety Professional would want for advancing their careers.
I am taking this certification course by course, and the courses I have taken so far contain so much information and insight as to the way Safety is perceived and the manner in which it is practiced from a manager's level to a workers level.
In my years of practicing safety this is the most educational tool I could ask for. It has answered so many questions for me, in the "why" factor of work practices and behavior in the field. The Accident Causation and Investigation course is extremely valuable as the training covers all areas of any involvement in an investigation. I am excited to continue with my courses to achieve my certification.
If you are considering taking this certification, you will be rewarded greatly from the information and learning you will receive.
Again, thank you University of Fredericton and Don Sayers & Associates."
Sincerely,
Mona Rideout
"Most of my life I have worked in high-risk occupations such as occupational diving and dealing with unexploded ordnance. Managing safety has always been a strong desire of mine. In order to do this well I researched many available online courses to see what would be the best fit. At the time I was working on a project in Hawaii and found the CHSEP training program to be exactly what I wanted. It addressed all the elements in a way that was easy to understand and follow. The modules fit well with the real occupational world and I found myself putting into practice what was taught in most of my daily activities. Previous to this course I felt I had a strong understanding of the safety processes but soon found out what I was missing and that much more can be learned through this training. Since completing this training my status as a safety person in the unexploded ordnance industry has been received with more credibility both by my peers and the industry. I owe this to the CHSEP course it has given me the tools to apply reasonable common sense safety processes to my workplace."
Steve Donovan
"I have enjoyed taking the Health, Safety and environmental Processes course the past two years. I would recommend this course to anyone pursuing the health and safety field. Distance learning requires a lot of self discipline, motivation and the desire to achieve your goals.
I would like to thank everyone at the university for there time in making this course possible. For many people the only way to get a post secondary education is through distant learning due to career and family commitments."
Bob Tinsley
"The course is fantastic, challenging and ties in to what I do every day. I'm a true believer in this program!"
Thanks again,
Alan Johnston
Iron Ore Company of Canada
"Each course stands on its own as an essential part within the occupational health & safety field. I completed both the Level One (Foundations) and Level Two (Advanced) programs and armed with this knowledge, I have successfully started my own health & safety consulting business two years ago. I am convinced that I would not have had the confidence, or the knowledge to attempt this without the CHSEP.
I also compared my pre CHSEP and post CHSEP inquiries that I had concerning employment in OHS field. I can say with complete honesty that after completion of the CHSEP the opportunities were ten fold of those before my completion. The CHSEP is a respected and valued certificate.
The program is straightforward and painless. The instructors are knowledgeable and very understanding to the needs of adult learners. Learners can register and begin at any time, and set their own study schedules based on your own personal schedule.
OHS is an exciting and gratifying career path and I have no doubt that it will lead you to the goals that you set."
(used with permission by)
Dan Steinke
August 2008
From Independent Consulting report on CHSEP effectiveness, July 2008:
All employers said they had noticed at least one skill learned from the CHSEP program being applied in their workplace. The majority (90%) indicated that safety management skills, and risk assessment and risk management skills were being used by the student (employee) at work. In addition, 70% said that accident causation and investigation skills, and also management skills were being used at work. The majority of students (90%) had indicated earlier that they felt they had been able to transfer skills learned in the program to their workplace.
Based on interviews with employers, the CHSEP program is very worthwhile from their viewpoint, and furthermore 80% said they would be interested in having other employees enroll in the program.
Orion Marketing Research, Fredericton, July 2008
Adapted from Eagle Group Communications, Fredericton, July 2005:
As well, CHSEP has an advantage in the fact that they are the only school offering open access courses. This provides students with more flexibility and they can tailor their schedule to suit their needs.
The switch to online learning has occurred due to improving technology and the appeal of flexibility to busy lifestyles... institutions are realizing the need to provide courses through varying means, other than the traditional classroom-based setting. The need for ease of access is crucial nowadays, in order for working professionals to balance their careers, families, and social lives. Online courses are being seen by corporations across Canada as a way to train staff effectively and save money. The availability of online courses is eliminating the need for corporations to pay for travel expenses and the lost time of the employee away at class.
"I really enjoy all three courses I had gone through - I see lots of things already implemented at our project and see how this really works in everyday life."
- Andrey Vilyayev (international student in mining industry)
"I found out about this course last year at the IAPA conference in Toronto. I researched the program and compared it to others, for example UofA H&S program. I felt that this program offered better and more indepth subjects which would allow me to expand my knowledge of H&S. The added bonus of it being an on-line program also allowed more flexibility with work and my family. So far the course is excellent. Keep in touch."
(resource industry worker in Western Canada)
I find this program outstanding in that it allows me to do the work on my own terms without traveling and taking time from the workday. Really pleased at the enhancement to my career and the concrete information I can use in my every day work!
In 2007, I enrolled in my first CHSEP course; I was looking for continuous learning opportunities that fit my hectic lifestyle; working full-time, pursing my CRSP designation and having a young family. I had completed distance education courses via distance education through various institutions prior to my enrolment in CHSEP program. I found non-conventional education to be quite challenging with respect to work life balance until I started with this program. The academic support received from program staff was exceptional; even during the transition period from the University of New Brunswick to the University of Fredericton. As a Canadian Registered Safety Professional, I found the program content of each course relevant to my occupation, and easily transferable in my day-to-day work activities.
- Adrienne Allam
Also the support is absolutely excellent, friendly, informative, and always a quick response!
(anonymous feedback from course report)
