Certificate in Training Officer Education

The Certificate in Training Officer Education consists of six (6) fully online courses. This certificate will help participants gain skills to train and coach individuals within their departments.  

Courses

The certificate consists of six (6) required courses. Click on each course name for more details and specific learning outcomes:

• OLCD-ADED0012 Theories of Adult Learning 
• OLCD-ADED0016 Instructional Methods 
• OLCD-ADED0017 Effective Facilitation 
• OLCD-FIRE0036 Incident Command: Thinking and Acting 
• OLCD-PALS0010 Coaching Skills for Leaders 
• OLCD-PALS0031 Organizational Behaviour 

Please note: The Certificate requires a passing grade of 70% in each course. See each course for applicable tuition fees and schedule. You must register for each course individually to reserve your spot. Some of these courses fill up quickly, and registration in one course does not guarantee your spot in another. Courses can be taken in any order. Courses can only be used towards one certificate. 

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this certificate, learners will:

• anticipate and be open to changes in the workplace;
• support your workplace teams in working together effectively; 
• build organizational cultures that are based on continuous improvement;
• recognize the principles of adult learning;
• identify the tenets of key adult learning theories and identify the learning theory most appropriate for your teaching context;
• identify the strengths and limitations of a variety of instructional methods; 
• describe multiple facilitator strategies for supporting learner buy-in and participation; and
• describe key elements involved in providing constructive feedback.

Prerequisites

The prerequisite for the Certificate in Training Officer Education is the Certificate in Fire Service Leadership. Before taking OLCD-FIRE0036 (Incident Command: Thinking and Acting), students should also take ICS 100, and ICS 200.

Language Requirement: University-level English language proficiency required in writing, speaking and reading comprehension. It is recommended that students have an IELTS Academic score of 6.5 overall or a TOEFL-IBT score of 90 overall for this program. Please see the following guidelines from Dalhousie University for more information: English Language Requirements For Undergraduate Admissions - Admissions - Dalhousie University.

Program Delivery

The program is delivered through the flexibility and convenience of Dalhousie's enriched and engaging online learning platform (OpenDal). Courses include group activities, live streaming lectures and project work. Course delivery is designed to provide maximum benefit and flexibility through online study.

Who Should Take This Certificate?

• Those in leadership positions or those aspiring to leadership positions within their fire departments; and
• Any individuals that will be training, facilitating, coaching, and/or mentoring those in the fire service. 

Recognition of Prior Learning

It may be possible to receive advanced standing in this certificate based on your prior learning from work or life experience. We provide two types of recognition of prior learning:

• Prior Certified Learning: Assessment of prior coursework or training through a provider, that is neither a university or college, for the purpose of advanced standing. Examples of certified learning may include military courses, accredited certificates, workplace training programs, etc.
• Prior Experiential Learning: Assessment of previous work and life learning that may be equivalent to learning outcomes of university courses / programs, for the purpose of advanced standing. Relevant prior learning may come from work or volunteer experience, participation on committees or boards, independent study, etc.

To discuss how to use your prior learning to apply for advanced standing, please contact rpl@dal.ca.