Approved training provider program

The WorkSafe Saskatchewan approved training provider program was developed to help ensure consistent workplace health and safety training is provided to Saskatchewan employers and workers. Each training standard outlines the minimum requirements necessary for a training provider and their training courses to be deemed approved by the Saskatchewan Workers’ Compensation Board (WCB).

The WorkSafe Saskatchewan approved training provider program replaces the certified instructor program with the intent to approve training providers (organizations) to deliver training courses that meet the minimum standard (as outlined in each training standard under this program).

As a training provider, you play a key role in keeping Saskatchewan workers safe and healthy. When you become a WorkSafe Saskatchewan approved training provider, you are strengthening the quality of safety training in Saskatchewan.

Approved training provider program requirements

To become a WorkSafe Saskatchewan approved training provider, training providers are required to apply for each training course standard through the Saskatchewan WCB’s learning management system portal, powered by SkillsPass. Requirements include:

  • Registering as a training provider on the WCB’s learning management system with the creation of a training provider profile (powered by SkillsPass).
  • Having a complete document assessment done by the WCB or a WCB-approved contractor. The requirements to complete the document assessment are outlined in each training course standard.
  • Successfully completing the in-class assessment within 60 days of the training program and/or within six months if the training includes practical exercises following the WCB’s completed document assessment.
  • Providing WorkSafe Saskatchewan with training records for approved training courses.
  • Adherence to the quality assurance processes.
  • Completing reapproval every three years to maintain your status as a WorkSafe Saskatchewan approved training provider. To remain in good standing as an approved training provider, the instructor must conduct at least two sessions per calendar year.

How to become an approved training provider

Application process

  • 1

    Create a training provider profile on SkillsPass

    Create your training provider profile at worksafesask.bluedrop.io/form-manager/.

  • 2

    Submit your application

    Submit your application and supporting documents for the training standard you want to become approved to train in the learning management system.

  • 3

    Application verification

    The WCB verifies documents for completeness and requests additional documents as required.

  • 4

    Assessment

    The WCB assesses your application documents against the standard for approval, including an in-class assessment of the course.

  • 5

    Notification

    The WCB notifies training providers if the application is:

    • approved
    • rejected
    • requires additional information

The WorkSafe Saskatchewan training application portal guide will walk you through how to create your account and submit applications.

Training standards

Each training standard outlines course requirements for content, course material, instructor qualifications, course delivery and instructor feedback.

Select a topic below to view the approved training standard.

Occupational Health Committee Level 1

The purpose of this standard is to establish minimum criteria for occupational health and safety training specific to occupational health committee (OHC) members within the province of Saskatchewan to:

  • Ensure learners receive training from approved training providers and that the programs are consistent and high-quality.
  • Contribute to reducing incidents, injuries and fatalities.
  • Strengthens workplace safety culture by elevating the importance of quality committee training.

Occupational Health Committee Level 2

The purpose of this standard is to establish minimum criteria for occupational health and safety training specific to occupational health committee (OHC) members within the province of Saskatchewan to establish:

  • The role of a committee member or representative regarding workplace inspections and investigations.
  • The purpose of and what are the types of workplace inspections.
  • How to plan and conduct an inspection.
  • How to handle inspection systems.
  • What to investigate and why.
  • The regulatory requirements for the investigation of a workplace incident or dangerous occurrence.
  • How to preserve the scene and collect and analyze evidence for an investigation.
  • The purpose and use of basic root cause analysis.
  • How to develop a workplace investigation report.
  • How to act following a workplace investigation.

Supervision and Safety

The purpose of the supervision and safety training program is to provide supervisors with an understanding of their legal duties and responsibilities pertaining to everyday health and safety functions. This training program will explain a supervisor’s role in providing a safe and healthy workplace for workers.

The training is intended for persons who are authorized by an employer to oversee or direct the work of the employer’s worker.

The course is designed to discuss:

  • Which health and safety elements are required while focusing on supervision.
  • Which legislation is applicable to supervisors, what the worker rights are, how to find it and what to do about it.
  • What the roles, responsibilities, requirements and duties are for employers, supervisors, workers and the occupational health committee (OHC).
  • What a safety management system is and how it relates to supervisors.
  • What hazards are and how to assess and control them.
  • What workplace inspections are and the supervisor’s role in them.
  • What workplace investigations are and the supervisor’s role in them.

Occupational health and safety for asbestos workers training standard

The purpose of this standard is to establish minimum criteria for occupational health and safety training specific to asbestos workers within the province of Saskatchewan to:

  • Ensure that workers who may be exposed to asbestos on the worksite receive high-quality and consistent safety and health training.
  • Strengthen workplace safety culture by elevating the importance of asbestos exposure prevention.
  • Reduce the number of asbestos-related incidents, illnesses and fatalities.

Approved training providers

Help create a genuine culture of safety

As a training provider, you play a key role in keeping Saskatchewan workers safe and healthy.  When you become a WorkSafe Saskatchewan approved training provider, you will help strengthen the culture of safety in Saskatchewan by:

  • Contributing to the consistency of the content and quality of workplace health and safety training in the province.
  • Providing employers with the ability to assess the skills and knowledge that a worker might have when they arrive on the job.
  • Helping reduce workplace injuries for workers who complete approved training provider training courses.
Worker with high visibility vest, hardhat, gloves and hearing protection

Frequently asked questions

QHas anything changed for 2024 relating to the training provider program?

AThe WorkSafe Saskatchewan approved training provider program will replace the WorkSafe Saskatchewan certified instructor program in 2024 with the intent to approve training providers (organizations) to deliver training courses that meet the minimum standard (as outlined in each training standard under this program) instead of individual instructors.

The next three training standards that will be implemented include OHC Level 1, OHC Level 2 and Supervision and Safety. Saskatchewan WCB will maintain the program’s overall quality management. Third-party training providers will ensure the quality and certification of their instructors and the integrity of the course material.

QWill WorkSafe Saskatchewan or the WCB share access to the training materials to be applied/used for presentation by the successfully approved training providers?

AYes, the Saskatchewan WCB will share training materials with successfully approved training providers and/or training providers intending to become approved through the program.

QIs the in-class assessment an assessment of the approved training provider or the certified instructor teaching the class?

AThe in-class assessment is an assessment of the approved training provider to ensure minimum requirements are being met. It is also an opportunity to support the certified instructors teaching the classes as a collaborative effort to firm up the goal of having quality workplace health and safety training in Saskatchewan.

QIf I already have a learning management system, do I still need to use the WCB’s learning management system?

AYes, learner certificates will need to be stored on WorkSafe Saskatchewan’s learning management system. Training providers may choose to provide learner certificates directly through the WCB’s learning management system and/or learners can obtain certificates themselves from their account on the WCB’s learning management system. Training providers with an existing learning management system can allow automatic data transfer to the WCB’s learning management system through an application programming interface. WorkSafe Saskatchewan will provide support throughout this process.

QDoes the WCB require the list of certified trainers to be submitted when there are changes?

AYes, one of the expectations of the WorkSafe Saskatchewan approved training provider standard is to update the list of certified trainers as needed or when applicable.

QWhich training records do I need to keep?

AKeep records of your training attendance, training examination scripts and copies of certificates.

QWhat is a training standard?

ATraining standards outline the minimum guidelines required for a particular course to maintain consistency, regardless of the organization or individual delivering the course. Some of the main elements of any training standard include:

  • length of course
  • theory requirements
  • learning outcomes
  • course delivery expectations
  • learner feedback requirements

QWhy would the WCB create training standards?

AThere are several benefits to developing provincial training standards, which include:

  • Providing a benchmark for training providers to evaluate their programs.
  • Ensuring quality training between different providers.
  • Creating the possibility of skills transfer between organizations for workers trained by a certified course provider.
  • Allowing the Ministry of Labour Relations and Workplace Safety to direct employers to approved training when asked how to correct a learning deficiency on the applicable topic.

QWhy is the WCB facilitating this?

AThe WCB already pays for a learning management system that specializes in training standard administration (BlueDrop). This is consistent with other provinces, including Newfoundland, Ontario, and Manitoba. The WCB has significant experience in assessment and training to evaluate course delivery effectively. The WCB is impartial, and has no preference as to who trains safety material, only that they do so in a way that protects Saskatchewan workers.

QAre these standards in legislation?

AAt this time, WCB-facilitated training are not mandatory or legislated in legislation.

QWhat are the benefits to becoming an approved training provider?

AAn approved training provider has:

  • Free use of the WCB’s learning management system to schedule and promote courses.
  • Free technical support from BlueDrop for certification, maintenance and course offering.
  • Consistent storage for all training documents (if someone needs a new copy of their certificate, they can access through the learner portal).
  • Learners’ certificates are transferable between companies that require specific training certification.
  • WCB support for initial and continued maintenance of certification process, including support document templates.