In September 2003, a contract to design and develop Transport Canada’s Civil Aviation Safety Management Systems training program was awarded to Jacques Whitford Environment Limited in association with International Safety Research and Safety Metrics Incorporated. The contract is also for the delivery of the training to Transport Canada Civil Aviation Delegated Officers.

Following a thorough needs analysis Jacques Whitford designed a 4-day training program. This training program, in its current form, references Transport Canada guidance material and tools as well as those of other civil aviation authorities. It also utilizes the Contractor’s vast experience in safety auditing, risk and safety management. The training is delivered through lecture, video and practical exercises.

The first course was delivered in March of 2004 and since then thirty-seven courses were delivered to 650 Transport Canada employees nationally. Additional courses are scheduled for 2005 and 2006 and more will be scheduled in the coming years. The course schedule is available on the Aviation Learning Services Web site. By 2007, all delegated officers will have completed this training.

As part of Transport Canada’s commitment to continuous improvement, the training is revised when regulations are promulgated, guidance material is developed and as a response to participant feedback. In order to keep previously trained officers up to date on major an additional day of training via video conference will be scheduled.

Syllabus and Lesson Plans

In response to a demand for more information on safety management systems and for the benefit of the industry, Transport Canada is making available on the Internet the course syllabus and lesson plans used to train its delegated officers. The information should be viewed keeping in mind that the course was designed for the training of Transport Canada personnel. Also note, all information proprietary of Jacques Whitford has been removed.