Support to obtain professional designations in disability management/return to work

The Government of Canada is supporting a number of course for Canadian residents looking to achieve designations in disability management/return to work.

This special initiative, funded by the Government of Canada’s sectoral initiatives program for Canadian residents located outside of British Columbia (which developed its own similar initiative), provides for a limited number of free continuing education courses in disability management and return to work delivered through the Pacific Coast University for Workplace Health Sciences.

The goal is to upskill individuals through various training levels depending on their educational background, work experience and responsibilities within their workplace, which will determine the type and number of modules they require. Module topic areas include competency domain areas identified in the occupational standards in disability management, and a range of mental health special and advanced topics.

This continuing education opportunity is designed to:
• build basic disability management/return-to-work program, policy and practice knowledge for managers and supervisors,
• provide foundational knowledge for others whose responsibilities include disability management and return to work, such as human resources, labour relations, or health and safety professionals who are often the first point of contact for individuals who acquire a mental or physical health impairment as 80 per cent of all impairments occur during a person's working life), and
• provide the development of dedicated accommodation expertise.

Research has shown that workplace staff who have the knowledge and skills to implement and administer accommodation policies, practices, and procedures also support employers in developing and implementing successful return-to-work accommodations for current employees who are off with health impairments, and are open to and successful in, hiring persons with disabilities from outside the organization.
This special initiative covers the cost of enrollment for a limited number of first-time applicants on a first come, first served basis in continuing education courses for the duration of this program until June 30, 2024.