Education Opportunities
Below are suggested continuing education activities for SCOs. Credits can also be earned through free, informal learning activities such as reading trade journals, volunteering, or involvement in a professional industry association.
Please note – The Safety Codes Council is not responsible for the quality of learning for activities offered by external institutions. Questions regarding these activities can be directed to the activity or course website listed.
Permit Issuers (100180)
This course is designed for non-safety codes officers permit issuers but can be taken for Continuing Education Credit. It deals with their responsibilities under the Safety Codes Act and Permit Regular AR 204/2007.
To register for an upcoming offering or access materials for free, please log in to Council Connect.
Quality Management Plan Training (100181)
This course provides students with an understanding of the framework, components, and processes of Alberta’s safety codes system.
To register for an upcoming offering or access materials for free, please log in to Council Connect.
Tools for Effective Inspection Report Writing (100185)
This interactive, hands-on workshop equips students with the fundamentals of good inspection report writing.
To register for an upcoming offering, please log in to Council Connect.
Variances – Gearing Up for Innovation and Safety (100187)
This new interactive workshop provides knowledge and tools for anyone involved in the variance process – applicants, reviewers, and issuers. Through collaborative learning activities, participants will discuss the purpose and benefits of variances, explore the safety codes system and the intent of code, and will apply tools to navigate the variance process so they are confident applying for or reviewing and issuing variances.
To register for an upcoming offering, please log in to Council Connect.
Inspections Best Practices (100188)
This interactive workshop presents best practices safety codes officers can employ in carrying out site inspections. The aim is providing students with the know-how to conduct a successful inspection every time.
An inspections tune-up, based on Inspections Best Practices, is available here. Students can self-report 5 Continuing Education for completion.
To register for an upcoming offering, please log in to Council Connect.
Plan Review: The Big Picture for Safety (100235)
This workshop is intended for safety codes officers responsible for plan reviews related to permit applications.
To register for an upcoming offering, please log in to Council Connect.
Website: ACSA
Website: Bender Webinars
Name: Skills Alberta Competition
Description: A very good venue to experience the wide variety of skilled young talent competing in various trades. Volunteer opportunities available.
Date & Location: March-May; Regional events across Alberta
Cost: Free
Website: Skills Alberta
Name: General Interest Courses
Description: Wide range of general and personal courses are available either online, in person or a blend of both.
Date & Location: Grande Prairie College; Various dates
Cost: Varies
Website: Grande Prairie College
Name: Blue Seal Program
Description: The Blue Seal program was established by Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training (AIT) to encourage and recognize business training. Earning a Blue Seal proves that you not only meet Alberta’s high industry standards, but you also have the drive to develop your business skills and succeed in business.
Date & Location: Lethbridge College; Various dates
Cost: Varies
Website: Lethbridge College
Date & Location: SAIT; Date TBD
Cost: Varies
Website: SAIT
Name: FIAA (Fire Investigation Association of Alberta)
Description: The FIAA endeavours to offer 2 multi-day, Fire Investigation-related training courses each year. Typically they offer a spring session and a fall session.
Date & Location: TBD
Cost: TBD
Website: FIAA
Name: NFPA 70: National Electrical Code (NEC) (2020) Online Training Series
Date & Location: Online
Cost: $117.50
Website: NFPA
Name: IAAI CFI Trainer.net
Description: International Association of Arson Investigators. Many online elearning opportunities. Note that content from US sources may not align with AFC; however, many of the videos are still relevant.
Date & Location: Online
Cost: Varies
Website: CFI Trainer
Name: National Research Council – Video Seminars
Description: The 2015 editions of Codes Canada publications contain almost 600 technical changes. To help Code users understand the new Code provisions and their impacts, the National Research Council of Canada is offering a series of 13 Video Presentations to engage and inform stakeholders on the significant technical changes. Each presentation provides an overview of Canada’s code development system and the roles and interaction with its stakeholders. Participants will gain a better understanding of how National Construction codes are developed and how participants can become involved in the process.
Date & Location: Online
Cost: Free
Website: National Research Council
RSM Training Centre: Energy Efficiency for Small Buildings
SAIT School of Construction
SAIT School of Construction course offerings are listed below. For dates, delivery, and cost, please visit the SAIT website.
- RHFAC Accessibility Assessor Training
- Building Moisture Control
- Moisture Control Site Visit
- Blueprint Reading
- Home Inspection – Communications/Professional Practice
- Home Inspection – Air Conditioning/Heating
- Home Inspection – Plumbing
- Home Inspection – Heating
- Home Inspection – Electrical
- Home Inspection – Structure
- Home Inspection – Heating I
- Home Inspection – Heating II
- Construction Industry Practices
- Sustainable Materials and Methods
- Estimating Document Essentials
- Quantities and Measurements
- Estimating Cost Foundations
- Estimating Planning Concepts
- Technical Communications I
- Estimating Capstone Project
- Reading Plans and Specifications
- Building Codes
- Introduction to Contracts
- Construction Safety
- Environmental and Emerging Building Fundamentals
- Commercial Construction Fundamentals
- Commercial Estimating
- Commercial Project Management
- Residential Construction Fundamentals
- Residential Estimating
- Residential Project Management
- Construction Planning Overview
- Construction Risk Management
- Construction Management Foundations
- Contract Principles
- Communication and Negotiation Essentials
- Introduction to Estimating
- Cost Planning and Control Essentials
- Business Writing for Results
NAIT - Solar PV Installation for Electricians
Name: Solar PV Installation for Electricians
Description: In this NAIT course, learn how to successfully install, and troubleshoot solar photovoltaic residential systems. This course is structured to allow a journeyman electrician to become a competent and confident installer.
Date: Please check website for dates
Cost: $995
Website: NAIT
Alberta Building Officials Association Webinars
Alberta Construction Safety Association
Name: Alberta Construction Safety Association
Classroom: Edmonton, Calgary, Grande Prairie, Fort McMurray, Lloydminster
Cost: Varies depending on membership status of employer
Website: ACSA
National Research Council
Name: National Research Council
Description: The 2015 editions of Codes Canada publications contain almost 600 technical changes. To help Code users understand the new Code provisions and their impacts, the National Research Council of Canada is offering a series of 13 Video Presentations to engage and inform stakeholders on the significant technical changes. Each presentation provides an overview of Canada’s code development system and the roles and interaction with its stakeholders. Participants will gain a better understanding of how National Construction codes are developed and how participants can become involved in the process.
Date & Location: Online
Cost: Varies
Website: National Research Council
ASET Continuing Education
Name: ASET Continuing Education
Description: ASET (Association of Science and Engineering Technology Professionals) has a short list of webinars on their website. They also partner with CSA and EPIC. If you are an ASET member, you will receive a reduced rate on their partners’ training options.
Date & Location: Online
Cost: Varies
Website: ASET
Building Code Educational Resource Video Series
Description: The Safety Codes Council, BILD Alberta, and the Professional Home Builders Institute are partnering in a six-part on-demand video series to educate industry on the 2023 National Building Code – Alberta Edition.
Date & Location: Online, Continuous
Cost: Free
National Fire Protection Association
Description: The National Fire Protection Association has a number of videos available on YouTube that are relevant to building and fire codes.
Date & Location: Online, Continuous
Cost: Free
Society of Fire Protection Engineers
Description: The Society of Fire Protection Engineers has a number of videos available on YouTube that are relevant to building and fire codes.
Date & Location: Online, Continuous
Cost: Free
Professional Home Builders Institute Courses
Continuing Education Opportunities from Outside the Safety Codes Council
Hazardous Locations Supermini Course
Name: Hazardous Locations Supermini Course
Description: This course introduces zone and division classified areas and how to determine if a product is suitable for installation in accordance with Canadian Electrical Code requirements. The Supermini course is free, and there are longer paid versions as well.
Date & Location: Online
Website: EngWorks
Authenticating Professional Work Products Practice Standard
Name: Authenticating Professional Work Products Practice Standard
Description: Understanding and properly implementing authentication, particularly in the digital space, is one of the most talked-about challenges licensed professionals face in their practice. The updated and improved practice standard—called Authenticating Professional Work Products—improves definitions and adds clarity to this important professional responsibility.
Date & Location: Online
Website: apega.ca
AUMA Risk Management Training Modules
Name: AUMA Risk Management Training Modules
Toastmasters
Name: Toastmasters
FOIP: Focus on Privacy
Name: FOIP: Focus on Privacy
Description: FOIP: Focus on Privacy is an interactive online course designed as self-managed training for all employees of public bodies to increase basic awareness of Alberta’s Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (FOIP). The course focuses on FOIP issues most relevant to the day-to-day activities of public body employees.
Date & Location: Online
Cost: Free
Website: Service Alberta
ASET Continuing Education
Name: ASET Continuing Education
Description: ASET (Association of Science and Engineering Technology Professionals) has a short list of webinars on their website. They also partner with CSA and EPIC. If you are an ASET member, you will receive a reduced rate on their partners’ training options.
Date & Location: Online
Cost: Varies
Website: ASET
Foundation for Administrative Justice
Name: Foundation for Administrative Justice
Encapsulated Mass Timber: A New Construction Type for the 2020 NBC
Name: Encapsulated Mass Timber: A New Construction Type for the 2020 NBC
Description: This webinar discusses the fire-related national building and fire code changes related to Encapsulated Mass Timber Construction (EMTC), used for wood buildings up to twelve storeys. As well, it will provide an overview of ongoing fire research at the National Research Council of Canada into various performance aspects of mass timber construction and tall wood buildings.
Location: Online
Cost: Free
Website: Canadian Wood Council