This guide is for school and school board staff who are planning and delivering SHSM programs.

Overview

All SHSMs have sector-recognized certifications and/or training courses. They include specified numbers of:

  • compulsory certifications and/or training courses such as first aid, CPR and WHMIS
  • elective certifications and/or training courses

Benefits for students

Certification and training experiences help SHSM students gain:

  • knowledge and skills related to health and safety
  • sector-recognized certifications and/or training
  • an advantage when entering the workforce

Find the certifications and training courses for each SHSM sector.

Requirements

The certifications and training courses must be specific to each SHSM sector. You may not:

  • substitute other programs for the certifications and training courses listed for each SHSM sector in this guide
  • reduce the required number of certifications and training courses

You may provide opportunities for students to complete more that the required number of certifications and training. This lets you customize your programs to reflect your local focus.

Your school board can also propose additional certifications and/or training that we (the Ministry of Education) review. If we approve an addition, we will add it to the list of certifications and training courses for that SHSM sector.

Delivery criteria

Certifications and training courses must be delivered by a certified trainer. This is someone recognized as an authority by the certification provider or by the sector. These courses must:

  • have an assessment and evaluation component
  • include, wherever possible, documentation (for example, a certificate or other proof of completion) for the student's portfolio and their SHSM record that has the title of each completed certification or training course

Your school must record these courses and certifications in the student management system and include the:

  • number of hours involved
  • date the certification/training was completed

Note: the requirement for a certified trainer does not apply to the Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS).

Delivery models

The following table has factors to consider when selecting a delivery model for certification and training experiences.

Certification and training experiences: delivery models
Delivery  modelAdvantagesDisadvantages
Industry-delivered
  • current
  • sector-recognized
  • has a hands-on component
  • provides exposure to the sector
  • provides authentic learning
  • may be expensive
  • may present a scheduling challenge
Online training
  • accessible regardless of geographic location
  • can be completed any time (day, evening or weekend)
  • needs little supervision
  • can be cost-effective
  • lacks a hands-on component
  • may not accommodate learners with special needs
  • may be expensive
Co-delivered by sector/education partner and secondary school
  • can be differentiated according to learner needs
  • fosters partnerships
  • needs coordination and scheduling

Teacher-delivered

("train the trainer" model where a teacher is certified to deliver the certification or training program)

  • cost-effective
  • sustainable and builds capacity
  • more easily embedded in curriculum delivery
  • could allow for a hands-on component
  • reduces scheduling challenges
  • can be differentiated according to learner needs
  • lacks sector exposure if no sector partner participates in the certification
  • may not be perceived as genuine or current by students