FSR training availability in BC

Technical Safety BC does not have the authority to enforce copyright infringements.  

We understand you may be concerned that some training providers may conduct themselves in an unethical manner and use other training provider’s materials for their benefit. It is our practice to treat your submissions as confidential information, and we do not divulge your submissions to anyone other than employees who are authorized to receive it for the purpose of reviewing it for course recognition.  

If you suspect your submission has been accessed by an unauthorized party, please contact us at programrecognition@technicalsafetybc.ca.

Technical Safety BC is required to comply with Section 21 of the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act which provides protection of proprietary documents submitted by a third party.  
  

Technical Safety BC has also established several internal policies and procedures to ensure appropriate internal controls are in place for employees and systems.
  

As part of the training recognition process, training providers are required to send their training materials for review via a secure email link. Access to such materials is restricted to Technical Safety BC employees whose function is to perform such evaluations.
  

For further information on our internal policies and procedures, please contact us at programrecognition@technicalsafetybc.ca.

In anticipation of the 2021 Canadian Electrical Code adoption, we encourage everyone to submit as soon as possible their updated certification and continuing education courses for evaluation and recognition. Once the 2021 Canadian Electrical Code is adopted our certification exams will be changing to the new code, so we need to verify that individuals are receiving training that will help them be successful on their certification exams and do safe work once they are certified. We also want to make sure that continuing education training on the new code is available for FSRs who need to renew after the new code implementation date.
  

Please note that we are accepting submissions for recognition prior to code adoption and will perform evaluations in advance to support training providers. We are now also able to issue letters of recognition prior to code adoption, which should give training providers the certainty they need to start training the industry on code updates sooner.  
  

To submit your courses for evaluation, please follow the outlined process.

These are courses for the purpose of renewing a certificate of qualification as a Field Safety Representative.

These are courses for the purpose of qualifying for a certificate of qualification as a Field Safety Representative.

Our practices for approval of training for certificate of qualifications and renewals have shifted.

One purpose of our current process for recognition and approval of course materials is to ensure course content is relevant to the scope of the certificate of qualification being applied for or renewed. We also recognize that it is beneficial for students and the integrity of all training programs when there is consistency in content and instructor experience for all courses. 

We understand that different instructors may teach the same course in different ways. It is not our intention to remove the ability of experienced and qualified instructors from providing training.

Rather, the goal of our training recognition program is to verify that instructors have the minimum required amount of knowledge and competence, as it relates to the training for the specific scope of the certificate of qualification.  

As a result, under our current training recognition program, we issue formal letters of recognition with expiry dates for each course that is evaluated. The expiry date is based on the date of issuance plus five years, or the date when a new syllabus or code comes into effect, whichever comes first. This helps us provide up-to-date information to students looking to take training. It also gives us an opportunity to connect you with updated curriculum information.
  

In order to accomplish this, we therefore need training providers wanting to continue to deliver training for the purposes mentioned above, once the 2021 Canadian Electrical Code is adopted, to submit applications, and have their updated training evaluated and recognized.

The accuracy of the information on our website is highly dependent on yourself, as a training provider, to keep us informed of any changes. As mentioned in our previous communication, we are more than happy to correct your information. We kindly ask that you submit your detailed request to programrecognition@technicalsafetybc.ca.

This change was introduced in response to Field Safety Representative feedback around availability and accessibility of training across the province. We understand that many training providers can deliver training in all areas of the province, as their courses are designed for that method of delivery. However, not all courses are delivered in that manner. We are now including on the list the method of delivery as well the location of the training provider. Students are encouraged to connect with training providers directly for more details related to schedules and specific delivery locations.

Technical Safety BC (TSBC) can only recognize, approve or accept individual training programs and courses as per the Safety Standards Act and applicable technical regulations. Each training program or course must be evaluated to ensure individuals will receive the appropriate training required to apply for certifications and successfully pass certification exams. This evaluation process has been standardized across all certifications to ensure a fair and consistent assessment of training. 

The Safety Authority Act established Technical Safety BC to carry on activities throughout British Columbia that foster safety in the installation, operation, maintenance, and use of technical products, equipment, and systems. Also, article 3.01(c) of the Safety Standards Administrative Agreement sets expectations for Technical Safety BC to be responsive to the education and communication needs of people in BC, including the general public who use the equipment that Technical Safety BC regulates, clients who pay for Technical Safety BC services (both technical and non-technical), and other stakeholders who have a role to play in the safety system. Therefore, Technical Safety BC has a duty to provide training, where needed, to ensure individuals can meet certification and renewal training requirements.