The Power of Certification – All You Need to Know – For Occupational Health and Safety Grads

Stepping into a career after your occupational health and safety training courses, you want to know that you’re not only highly skilled but have the competitive edge in this demanding and rewarding field. To this end, the occupational health and safety course you choose should be held to the highest standards.

At Anderson College, in our commitment to ensuring our students are in demand upon graduation, the in-person and online safety training courses within our Occupational Health and Safety program are fully approved by the Board of Canadian Registered Safety Professionals (BCRSP). This means that upon graduation from Anderson’s OHS program you are eligible to apply for the various certifications BCRSP offers.

We thought you would appreciate knowing precisely what that means and how certification can open a variety of incredible doors for your future as an OHS professional, whether you’re launching your first career, or taking your OHS career to new levels.

The Power of Certification – All You Need to Know – For Occupational Health and Safety Grads

If you want to know, here we go …

A Brief Introduction to BCRSP

• BCRSP is recognized globally and sets the certification standards for the occupational health and safety profession and paves the way for OHS professionals to provide safe and healthy workplaces across myriad industries.
• They understand the power of certification and how you can leverage it to advance your career and establish yourself as an OHS professional that is held to account and holds others to the highest standards as well. To learn more, read 5 Reasons to Obtain a BCRSP Certification.
• BCRSP offers 2 Certifications Examinations, CRST® and CRSP® with Four Main Purposes:
• To promote high national standards,
• To provide practitioners with a way to validate their competence,
• Through recognized credentials, the ability to identify those practitioners who meet the national standards, and
• To determine if examinees are prepared to practice occupational health and safety, without risk to the public and to the environment.

CRST® Certification at a Glance

• CRST® stands for Canadian Registered Safety Technician.
• It is offered to individuals working in OHS at least 35% of the time, with a foundational academic background in OHS (i.e. OHS certificate), or background in another technical discipline or trade. This CRST® eligibility criteria are designed to accommodate various backgrounds that individuals may possess before entering a career in safety.
• A graduate of Anderson College, upon successfully completing their OHS program is eligible to sit this exam, immediately after graduation. However, they would need to prepare for the examination by studying the BCRSP CRST® blueprint, which takes approximately one month.
• A CRST® maintains OHS administrative processes, conducts training and applies a range of state-of-the-art tools, processes and common practice solutions to OHS risks. They also oversee and drive monitoring and compliance in relation to technical and behavioral risk controls.
• As relayed in the article on “5 Reasons” above, certification give you that professional competitive edge, among other powerful benefits.
• CRST® certification requires individuals to meet qualification standards, including education and experience requirements, pass the CRST® Examination, and stay compliant through a continuous professional development process.
• Essential to note – although it will take a little time (a month+), dedication and financial investment after graduation to obtain this CRST® certification, stating “working toward CRST® certification” on your resume, shows your potential employer your commitment and can give you that edge while you’re still engaged in the process.

CRSP® Certification at a Glance

• CRSP® stands for Canadian Registered Safety Professional and is considered a benchmark in the OHS profession and is the certification of choice for OHS professionals.
• CRSP® certificatants come from a variety of professional and educational backgrounds.
• Some applicants apply at the four-year minimum professional experience requirement level, while others have 10-15 years of experience or more. Regardless of background, the CRSP® certification is for many a career goal.
• CRSP® certification sets you apart from others within the OHS industry and emphasizes that you are professionally committed to health and safety within the workplace and continually evolving by upholding the highest of standards.
• CRSP® certification represents a benchmark that validates knowledge, skill and practice; employers recognize the value of certification, and this is reflected through increased salary, internal recognition or promotion.
• With a CRSP® certification you are esteemed as an OHS expert within the workplace, one that can drive standards and decision making and empower employers and employees in all workplace health and safety matters.
• Again, essential to note – although it will take an extended period of time (years), your dedication and financial investment to obtain this CRSP® certification, stating “working toward CRSP® certification” on your resume, demonstrates to potential employers your ongoing and extensive commitment to professional standards and advancements and can pave the way for recognition and financial compensation.

As you can see, this career holds a lifetime of opportunity and these certifications empower you to continually take your career to higher and ever-more significant levels. Anderson College appreciates that you need a solid foundation for success.

If you’re still considering if this path is for you, you can take our Career Discovery Quiz.

But if you’re passionate about this field and looking to explore a workplace health and safety course and to study occupational health safety, and want a team as committed to your future, as you are, then we have a track record for being just that. Whether you’ve been working in OHS or another field for years and are looking to add certification to your exceptional resume, or are just launching your first career, we’re here to help you navigate your way.

Read more about our Occupation Health & Safety program, and then book a virtual appointment with one of our Admissions Advisor today! We can’t wait to see where you soar next.

Quick Links to Fuel Your Success!

We want to make sure you have what you need to succeed! Check out these reference links:

• Occupation Health & Safety program – Anderson College
• 5 Reasons to Choose an Occupational Health and Safety Career
• Top Skills for Success as an Occupational Health and Safety Professional
• Professional Opportunities Await … for Occupational Health and Safety Graduates!
• What You Need to Know to Thrive as a New Occupational Health and Safety Professional!