News Feed

SCSA and Sask Polytechnic expand Occupational Health and Safety training recognition

Nov
6

SCSA and Sask Polytechnic expand Occupational Health and Safety training recognition
Partnership aims to provide reciprocal recognition of prior learning for success in the construction industry

November 6, 2019 – Effective in the fall of 2019 the Saskatchewan Construction Safety Association (SCSA) and Saskatchewan Polytechnic will provide reciprocal course credit recognition of prior learning between the SCSA’s National Construction Safety Officer (NCSO®) courses and Sask Polytech’s Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) certificate. This will benefit health and safety practitioners with an interest of working in the construction industry, as well as those who wish to advance their learning and career opportunities.

Previously, NCSO participants could receive Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition (PLAR) for their coursework to obtain credit for Sask Polytech’s OHS certificate. With this new partnership, graduates from Sask Polytech’s OHS certificate can now also receive credit towards NCSO courses.

“At the SCSA, our vision is to create the safest construction environment in Canada; our mission is constructing safety leadership and this partnership and agreement will certainly contribute to both our vision and our mission,” says Collin Pullar, SCSA president.

“This partnership with the SCSA benefits our OHS certificate graduates interested in a career within the construction industry,” says Dr. Larry Rosia, Sask Polytech president and CEO. “Now OHS graduates can achieve their NCSO designation quicker, through recognition of the coursework they completed at Sask Polytech. Those taking NSCO coursework can also receive recognition of their studies through PLAR. It’s a great reciprocal partnership.”

The SCSA and Sask Polytech have signed a five-year reciprocal agreement.

The SCSA administers the NSCO program in Saskatchewan. The program provides verification of a nationally recognized level of competency in relation to construction safety. It also provides practical training in various construction safety management skills and principles. The NSCO designation is a requirement for many health and safety careers within the construction industry.

OHS professionals play an important role within many organizations, helping to make workplaces and communities a safer place to live, work and play. Sask Polytech’s OHS certificate plays an integral role in developing and supporting prospective and current OHS professionals meet a goal of zero workplace injuries and fatalities across the country.

Sask Polytech’s OHS 906 hour certificate program, recognized by the Board of Canadian Registered Safety Professionals, includes an 80-hour two-week practicum component. For those already working in industry the program offers credit based on previous experience through PLAR.

About the Saskatchewan Construction Safety Association: The Saskatchewan Construction Safety Association (SCSA) is an industry-funded, membership-based, non-profit organization that provides cost-effective, accessible safety training and advice to employers and employees in the construction industry throughout the province to reduce the human and financial losses associated with injuries. Registered March 22, 1995 the SCSA is, and has been since inception, committed to injury prevention. Serving almost 10,000 member companies, the major business units of the association are Advisory Services, Corporate Development, Corporate Services, Program Services and Training.

About Saskatchewan Polytechnic: Sask Polytech serves students through applied learning opportunities at campuses in Moose Jaw, Prince Albert, Regina and Saskatoon, and through extensive distance education opportunities. Programs serve every economic and public service sector. As a polytechnic, the organization provides the depth of learning appropriate to employer and student need, including certificate, diploma and degree programs, and apprenticeship training. Saskatchewan Polytechnic engages in applied research, drawing on faculty expertise to support innovation by employers, and providing students the opportunity to develop critical thinking skills.

For more information, contact:

Terri Larsen

Saskatchewan Construction Safety Association

Marketing Coordinator

Office: 306-525-0175 ext. 232

Email: terril@scsaonline.ca

 

 

Brianna Bergeron

Saskatchewan Polytechnic

Communications and Marketing

Office: 306-659-3866

Cell: 306-250-3978

Email: brianna.bergeron@saskpolytech.ca