Program Overview

Health, Safety and Environmental Compliance

Prepare to become a compliance specialist in worker health and safety, as well as environmental protection. Employment opportunities exist in both the public and private sectors.

PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS
The new Health, Safety and Environmental Compliance program focuses on workplace compliance, including labour, inspection and auditing, public and worker safety, and environmental protection. The program provides a unique, comprehensive combination of training in all aspects of health and safety as well as environmental compliance - a definite hiring asset.

• Acquire knowledge, expertise and professional skills in inspection and investigation relating to occupational health and safety legislation and environmental law
• Develop the ability to plan and implement training to create a safe work environment
• Learn the legal aspects and procedures of inspection, monitoring, investigation and enforcement across a wide range of industries
• Put your new skills into practice through applied learning
• Graduate job-ready

In Ontario, the Ministry of Labour sets, communicates and enforces workplace standards regarding worker protection. Additionally, the Ministry of the Environment and Climate Change protects and improves the quality of the environment to keep it healthy and protect human health and safety. Private industry and municipal governments also employ compliance specialists.
Graduates will be prepared to find employment in a wide range of jobs, within provincial and federal enforcement, or the private sector, ensuring that legislative obligations in occupational safety and environmental protection are met.

PROGRAM LEARNING OUTCOMES

• Upon successful completion of this certificate, graduates will be able to:
  • Plan and perform workplace inspections and audits for compliance with occupational health and safety and environmental legislation.
  • Develop and evaluate health and safety programs for a variety of industries to promote the health and safety of workers.
  • Facilitate legal compliance, reduce accidents and train and lead others in creating a safe work environment through the application of health, safety, and environmental policies and practices.
  • Conduct investigations of workplace injuries, fatalities, work refusals, occupational illness or complaints related to unsafe work conditions and hazards.
  • Develop and propose recommendations to address audit findings and verify compliance.
  • Prepare investigative briefs and other documents for the prosecution of infractions of occupational safety and environmental legislation.
  • Inspect facilities for possible contraventions of health, safety and environmental legislation and prepare control documents to resolve identified issues.
  • Investigate environmental incidents, spills or complaints and determine remediation for health and safety of the surrounding environment and persons.
  • Manage and/or defuse potentially difficult situations by applying conflict management skills and strategies.

Optional Co-op
Students entering the program in September may apply to participate in an optional paid co-op. The deadline to apply is at the end of November, where students must submit an Application Form (including a resume) to the Co-op Office. Students must achieve a 70% (2.5 GPA) average, and pass all courses in Semester 1 in order to be enrolled in the Co-op Option. All students in the program participate in a Career Preparation course. Students who are accepted into the Co-op Option must complete 450 hours of co-op, following semester 2. Generally this takes place between May and August, but start dates and total number of weeks may vary according to the employer. The Co-op Option provides the opportunity to:

• Integrate classroom learning with work-based learning
• Explore the variety of careers available in the field
• Network for future job opportunities

The Co-op Option is not available for students who begin the program in January, as they attend classes over the summer.

Therapeutic Recreation

Therapeutic Recreation professionals use a variety of techniques to help their clients enjoy greater independence, improve their health and well-being, and reduce or eliminate the effects of their illness or disability.

Program Highlights
This three-semester program prepares graduates for work in recreation, health or social service delivery settings. The program is offered in a combination of on-campus and online courses. During the first two semesters, you are required to be on campus two days of each week for the on-campus courses. The remainder of the courses are taken online. The program structure of combined class time and online learning provides you with the flexibility to participate in volunteer activities and to maintain family/work balance. This style of program delivery allows for practitioners currently working in the field to return to school and upgrade their skills without having to leave their job.

On the days you are on not on campus for courses, you’ll have the time to explore a variety of volunteer roles within the profession. This experience will enhance your learning and you will develop valuable industry connections and relationships for placements and possible future employment.

The third semester is a supervised field placement which can take place in the work setting and geographic location of your choice. Assistance to obtain the placement that best suits your goals will be provided.

You will learn specialized skills and how to utilize a wide range of interventions and techniques to improve the physical, cognitive, emotional, social and leisure needs of clients. You will learn to:

• Complete client assessments, working closely with patients/clients/residents and their family members
• Develop and evaluate group and individualized programs
• Use a variety of facilitative techniques, such as arts and crafts, animals, sports, games, dance and movement, drama, and music to assist individuals to participate in meaningful recreational activities
• Help people with disabilities to integrate into the community by teaching them how to use community resources and recreational activities, to foster independence, successful community living and integration

This program is built on strong community links with partners that provide health and wellness services and aligns with current regulating professional standards and competencies. At the heart of the program is the idea that play, recreation and leisure activities benefit people of all ages and abilities.