To reinforce your learning and support the course content, our courses integrate videos from industry experts, industry relevant examples, interactive activities and knowledge check questions. You will also be provided with a glossary and additional resources to further support your learning.
Below is an overview of the courses required for this certificate.
1. Essential Skills Pre-Assessment
This assessment is a metric to measure knowledge and skills gain upon completion of the Essential Skills Certificate Program. Your score has no affect on your progress in or completion of the program.
2. Technical Writing Essentials
In technical writing, the ability to communication information and messages clearly to your reader is often the difference between the failure and success of a project. Having the ability to convey detailed, complex information in a way that is easily understood by many different audiences is a critically important skill in certain industries. Being a proficient technical writer requires a combination of skill, logic and imagination. Good writers inform, educate and document their work. This course will help you to further develop your essential technical writing skills, so you are able to convey clear, concise messages tailored to your audience.
Topics include:
- The Importance of Writing Well for Environmental Professionals
- Identifying and Understanding your Reader
- Choosing the Right Document for the Right Purpose
- Designing and Structuring a Document for your Reader
- Reviewing and Revising Documents
- Document References, Appendices, and Disclaimers
3. Project Management Essentials
Being a successful project manager requires strong technical and essential soft skills. Every day you are expected to demonstrate these sills to ensure projects are organized, well-managed, and meeting client expectations. The course follows a real-life project scenario and uses practical exercises, resources, and templates to prepare learners for the successful leadership and execution of their next project.
Topics include:
- Initiation – The Project Charter and Project Governance
- Planning – Scope, Work Breakdown Structure (WBS), Roles and Responsibilities, Risk, Budget, and Communication Plans, Project Plan Approval
- Getting Organized – PM Technology Tools, Effective Filing, Project Management Templates
- Execution, Monitoring, and Controlling – Recruiting the Team, Scope Creep and Issues, Schedules and Plans, Communication
- Close Out – Administrative Tasks, Lessons Learn, Releasing the Team
- Understanding Your Work Environment – Company Culture
- Leading Your Team – Establishing Trust, Delegating Tasks, Accountability, Time Management and Meeting Management, Micromanaging
- Communicating with Your Team
4. Communication Essentials: Fundamentals of Environmental Consulting
Communicating with multiple stakeholders requires the ability to collaborate and coordinate with many players such as your employer, your clients, regulators and contractors. This course gives you the opportunity to learn about your role as a consultant, practice key skills that you will need to succeed in this role and stay safe in this process.
Topics include:
- Fundamentals of Consulting
- Working for Your Employer
- Working with Clients
- Working with Contractors
- Working with Regulators
- Staying Safe
5. Navigating Canadian Environmental Law
Environmental law is a vast and complicated domain and as an Environmental Professional, you interact with laws and regulations every day. Developed by Canadian Environmental Experts, this course, is designed to give you a solid foundation in key public and private laws as well as an understanding of legal concepts that will help keep you and your client mitigate risks.
Topics include:
- The Big Picture: The Canadian Legal Context
- Jurisdictions
- Focusing Events
- Key Laws
- Using Environmental Laws
- Your Roles and Responsibilities
- Working with Regulators
Please note: The contents of this course are intended for general educational purposes and do not replace the advice of a lawyer. You should always check current and relevant laws before acting on your knowledge, as they are constantly changing.
6. Essential Skills Post-Assessment
This assessment is a metric to measure knowledge and skills gain upon completion of the Essential Skills Certificate Program. Your score has no affect on your progress in or completion of the program.