Improved access to French-language training for francophone workers
In a groundbreaking development for workplace safety in the province of Ontario, Workplace Safety North (WSN) has introduced a new hybrid French-language training initiative.
Hybrid training lets participants learn in two ways: in person or online. This means they can join a class from anywhere in the province and get live guidance from safety experts. Special technology, including a sound-activated camera that tracks the instructor’s voice as they teach in the classroom along with questions from the class, ensures virtual participants feel like they are in the classroom with everyone else.
“These new hybrid courses make sure participants can enhance their knowledge and skills without any geographical constraints,” says Tiana Larocque, WSN Program Training Specialist, “promoting a safer work environment across the province. This approach combines the best of both worlds, offering the convenience of virtual learning while keeping the benefits of in-person interaction.”
“The course series, ‘Comité mixte sur la santé et la sécurité - partie 1, partie 2, et le cours du mise-à-niveau’, [JHSC Certification] addresses a huge barrier in access to French-language training for francophone workers. Now companies and workers will have more timely access to training that is readily available. They can log in anywhere and geographic distance is no longer a barrier.”
Recently, WSN was approved by the province to provide the French-language hybrid version. The next Refresher Certification session is available May 2. There is also an English-language hybrid version of Joint Health and Safety Committee (JHSC) Certification Part 1 training.
“As the only Ontario health and safety association headquartered in the north, WSN has always had to be creative and resourceful on how it offers provincially mandated training programs across the huge geography of the province,” says Larocque, “and especially for two high-risk occupations: forestry and mining.”
Benefits to French language training
- Access French-language occupational health and safety training that is not available by any other provider
- More timely access to training – readily available – can log in anywhere – geographic distance is not a barrier to taking the training
- Offers real-time interaction with safety peers as well as two instructors who use a team-teaching approach
- Saves time and money regarding travel costs to attend a course
- Enhances access and convenience especially for more remote areas of the province
- Opportunity to collaborate and share best practices, instructor can answer questions in real time
- Addresses a huge barrier in accessing French-language training for francophone workers
Training highlights
Flexibility: The innovative hybrid sessions allow participants to attend either in person or virtually, providing a dynamic learning experience.
Collaboration: Engage with fellow participants from various locations across Ontario, fostering interaction and collaboration.
Comprehensive content: Covering crucial topics such as the Occupational Health and Safety Act, effective communication, hazard recognition, incident investigation, and more.
Successful completion of Part 1 and Part 2 Certification will result in accreditation from the Ministry. This achievement signifies a commitment to workplace safety and positions participants as valuable members of the Joint Health and Safety Committee.
Companies with 20 employees or more are required to establish a Joint Health and Safety Committee (JHSC). The course for JHSC Certification training is required by the province for companies with 20 or more employees. The first part of the comprehensive certification training series, recognized and approved by the Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training, and Skills Development (Ministry), focuses on supplying participants with essential skills for certification.
New safety training certification system for province
As of February 26, the Ministry introduced a new system to keep track of important safety training certifications. These certifications are required for jobs where people work at heights and for those who are part of joint health and safety committees.
The new system looks different, but it still lets people access their records, find places to get trained, and sign up for courses. The companies that provide the training are still able to manage their courses and get approval for them. The changes were made based on feedback to make the system easier to use.
Related
Comité mixte sur la santé et la sécurité - Formation à l'agrément: partie 1 (entreprises avec 20 travailleurs ou plus)
Joint Health and Safety Committee Certification training (companies with 20 or more workers)
Formation de base du délégué à la santé et à la sécurité (entreprises avec 6 à 19 travailleurs)
Health and Safety Representative Basic Training (companies with 6 to 19 workers)