Are you an Employer?

Are you an Employee?

If you are an Employer:

1. What is certification?

Certification is a national, portable and industry-recognized credential based on an assessment of the skills and competencies a worker has gained through his/her experience in the work force. Certification is voluntary.

2. Is it a training program?

No. A training program teaches skills and knowledge.  The certification program assesses and verifieshow  these skills and knowledge are applied in the workplace.

3. Why should I certify my workers?

Certification will mean you will have confidence in a worker's skills and abilities, because he/she has been assessed against a national, industry-approved standard of performance. This can significantly facilitate recruitment and allow a more effective use of training dollars.

In the pilot programs certification was seen as a career motivator by participants. For this reason it could also be a valuable way of differentiating your company when recruiting or retaining staff through investing in their career development.

4. How much does certification cost per candidate?

The fee structure for certification will be made public and posted here by September  2011.

5. Who pays for certification?

Certification can be paid for by the employer or the individual. This will differ from site-to-site.

6. What are the implications for industry?

Certification, a component of the the Canadian Mining Credentials Program is one aspect of an industry strategy to address the mining sector's needs related to labour mobility, skills recognition, and harmonization of training.

A number of occupations in the mining industry have not been described in a consistent manner from one company or location to another. Employers face recruitment challenges as they have no method to recognize the skills, training, and experience of workers from outside their community. Labour market mobility is also a significant issue for the sector. If an employee seeks work at a different mine, there is no portable credential that goes with the individual.  The Canadian Mining Credentials Program will change that.

7. How does certification under the Canadian Mining Credentials Program compare to provincial qualifications like Ontario's Common Core?

Already existing required provincial/territorial standards and assessment systems will still apply to all workers in those jurisdictions. MiHR will continue to collaborate with the relevant provincial/territorial authorities to identify commonalities between the CMCP and the provincial systems.

Certification through the CMCP is a national credential, an advantage that enables you to easily transfer workers between mine sites.

8. How long does it take for a worker to get certified?

Certification takes place once the worker has met the national requirements for skills and competencies as laid out in the relevant National Occupational Standard and defined by industry.  There is also a minimum level of hours on the job, and this varies depending on the occupation.

9. What do I need to do to get started and when can I get my workers certified?

First, a site must appoint a Workplace Assessor who will undergo a two-day workplace assessor training program. Workplace Assessor will use CMCP assessment tools to conduct an on-the-job evaluation of the candidate's skills and competencies based on the requirements set out by industry and described in the National Occupational Standards   MiHR will be accepting nominations from worksites for Workplace Assessors in mid-2011, and will be accepting applications for certification in the fall of 2011. For more information please contact certification@mihr.ca

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If you are an Employee:

1. What is certification?

Certification is a national, portable and industry-recognized credential based on an assessment of the skills and competencies a worker has gained through his/her experience in the work force. Certification is voluntary.

2. Is it a training program?

No. A training program teaches you skills and knowledge.  The certification program assesses how you apply the skills and knowledge in the workplace.

3. Why should I certify?

Certification will give you an industry-recognized, national credential to improve your employability across the country and is recognition for your skills which had previously gone unrecognized.

4. How much does it cost to get certified?

The cost of certification will be made available in Fall 2011.

5. Who pays for certification?

Certification can be paid for by the employer or the individual.

6. What are the implications for industry and my colleagues?

A number of occupations in the mining industry have not been described in a consistent manner from one company or location to another. If an employee seeks work at a different mine, there is no portable credential that goes with the individual.  The Canadian Mining Credentials Program will change that by giving you a nationally recognised credential  -  a proven record of your skills and experience.

7. How does certification under the Canadian Mining Credentials Program compare to provincial qualifications like Ontario's Common Core?

Already existing required provincial/territorial standards and assessment systems will still apply to all workers in those jurisdictions. MiHR will continue to collaborate with the relevant provincial/territorial authorities to identify commonalities between the CMCP and the provincial systems.

Certification through the CMCP is a national credential, an advantage that enables you to easily transfer between mine sites/jobs.

8. How long does it take to get certified?

Certification takes place once the worker has met the skills and competencies documented in their skills passport, as laid out in the relevant National Occupational Standard.  There is also a minimum level of hours on the job, and this varies depending on the occupation.

9. When can I get certified and what do I need to do to get started?

First, a site must appoint a Workplace Assessor who will undergo a 2-day workplace assessor training program. Workplace Assessor's assess certification candidate skills and competencies in a set of tasks against industry-approved National Occupational Standards, on the job. MiHR will be accepting nominations from worksites for Workplace Assessors in mid-2011, and will be accepting applications for certification in the fall of 2011. Workers interested in the CMCP are encouraged to highlight this to their current employer.For more information please contact certification@mihr.ca

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