Training & Development Committee

The Training and Development Committee, chaired by Michael Chapman, is working actively to identify and develop training events around areas of interest to the membership. As stated in the Fall 2007 membership survey, training initiatives are a priority for the membership. The committee and staff are continuously working with educational institutions and industry for possible professional development training opportunities for the membership.


Rationale

To increase the industry’s competitiveness by arming industry with current training opportunities, as noted by the province in the NSED report Opportunities for Sustainable Prosperity 2006, is a priority to arm the work force with up-to-date training initiatives. To carry out priorities of the ESANS Strategic Plan 2005 – 2010, ESANS plans to host a variety of training events and attempting new methods of delivering them.

The environmental industry is extremely diverse and quickly developing, requiring constant retraining on a wide variety of topical issues (e.g. new policy, new practices, new legislation etc.). Many ESANS members require a wide range of skills and knowledge enhancement activities that are not offered by academic and technical institutions (e.g. policy, legislation, practice, business etc).

ESANS is working to develop a spectrum of short practical courses/seminars that will meet the ongoing and changing needs of its members to ensure that members are leaders in their respective market segments and are kept current on industry trends and changes.


Planned Activities 2008 - 2009

E-Training
ESANS will undertake the development of several courses to be presented in an electronic and interactive format. The courses will allow participants to progress at their own speed in a graduated manner. Completion of the courses will be recognized by the sector and the training community. This will provide an ongoing source of revenue to help sustain the association while not having to rely upon organizing events around uncontrollable variables such as weather conditions, vacation times or other events.

Web Seminars (Webinars)
Given the growing concern with travel costs and growing constraint on the individual’s time in the workplace, ESANS will undertake a pilot project to develop an information session and or training event to allow members and a wider audience to participate electronically and interactively. Based on the success and level of interest this could become a regular format for information sharing events for the Association and its members.


Expected Outcomes

In keeping with the ESANS Strategic Plan 2005 - 2010, all training activities and initiatives to be developed, organized, and/or conducted by the training committee in the upcoming fiscal year are intended to increase competitiveness through focused specialized events while contributing to ESANS financial sustainability.