Overall Rating Platinum
Overall Score 86.17
Liaison James Gordon
Submission Date May 31, 2022

STARS v2.2

Thompson Rivers University
EN-12: Continuing Education

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 5.00 / 5.00 James Gordon
Zero Waste and Environmental Programs Coordinator
TRU Sustainability Office
"---" indicates that no data was submitted for this field

Total number of continuing education courses offered:
100

Number of continuing education courses that are sustainability course offerings:
15

Percentage of continuing education courses that are sustainability course offerings:
15

A copy of the institution’s inventory of its continuing education sustainability course offerings and descriptions:
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Institution’s inventory of its continuing education sustainability course offerings and descriptions:

TRU's inventory of its continuing education sustainability course offerings and descriptions:

Forestry - Fire Suppression and Safety, Basic S-100 (FORT 0980)
The S-100/S-185 Basic Fire Suppression and Safety course is comprised of the key learning objectives from the S-130 Fundamentals of Fire Fighting, S-190 Safety and Fire Behaviour, and S-232 Portable Pumps and Water Delivery Systems Courses. The S-100/S-185 course was developed in 1995 to meet the training requirements identified in the Forest Fire Prevention and Suppression Regulation. The Ministry of Forests, Wildfire Management Branch uses the S-100 course to train Emergency Fire Fighters. The forest industry uses the S-100 course to train their workers. Industry training is due to the WorkSafeBC regulation that requires anyone fighting fires to be trained. WorkSafe BC Regulation 26.19(2) requires that workers be trained annually to fight forest fires. This course includes the S-185 component. This course includes: Introduction, Fire Behaviour, Fire Entrapment (S-185), Fire Suppression, Tools and Equipment, Fireline Safety, Water Delivery Systems, WHMIS, Practical Portion and Examination. This course addresses sustainability through the environmental, social, and economic concerns of wildfires. (1) Environmental – negative impacts of using equipment in streams, (2) Social – issues re air pollution, and dangers for workers and public, (3) Economic, costs and mitigation strategies.

Health and Safety - Foodsafe Level 1 (OCHS 0850)
This sanitation program is appropriate for food handlers, kitchen staff and dining room attendants. You will learn about the purchase and storage of potentially hazardous foods, personal hygiene, the causes of food borne diseases and maintaining a sanitary food service operation. This course addresses sustainability: (1) Environmental – food prep and food waste – re composting (2) Social - food safety and handling, to ensure diseases are not spread and (3) Economic – costs of local food vs. regional – international, etc.

Health and Safety - Transportation of Dangerous Goods (DRIV 0620)
The Transportation of Dangerous Goods course was developed in order to protect the public from the dangers of transportation accidents involving dangerous goods - by truck, train, ship or aircraft.
Formal ‘in-class’ training is offered to ensure the provision of information to people who handle, offer to transport dangerous goods, or who respond to transportation emergencies involving dangerous goods. With the use of video presentations, the Driver’s Hand-book, and the Dangerous Goods Act, the instructor will guide you through the proper procedure for identification, inspection and transportation of these dangerous substances. A must for shippers, receivers, warehouse persons, and especially those engaged in the transport of dangerous goods. This course addresses sustainability: (1) Environmental - protection of the environment from dangerous spills, avoiding environmental degradation and affecting biological diversity, (2) Social - protection of the public from oil spills and other dangerous goods spills, fires, etc. (3) Economic – impacts of costs related to spills.

Health and Safety - WHMIS (OCHS 0860)
WHMIS was updated in 2015 to align with the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals (GHS) developed by the United Nations. The updated classifications, labels, and safety data sheets will improve communication, clarity, and worker safety. Although the system has changed, the responsibilities of workers, employers, and suppliers are unchanged. Hazardous products can cause injuries or diseases in workers. The goal of WHMIS is to provide workers with the information they need to stay safe on the job. With WHMIS, hazardous products must have a label and safety data sheet (SDS). Labels identify the product's hazards and precautionary measures. Safety data sheets, which must be available on the work site, provide more detailed information. This course addresses sustainability through the safe handling of chemicals and the (1) environmental concerns with unsafe handling, (2) the social concerns and consequences with unsafe handling and (3) the economic aspect of sourcing the chemicals from suppliers.

Continuing Education Courses for Water Treatment Industry:

These water courses all touch on water and how clean water relates to bio diversity and impacts on human health : (1) Environmental - sourcing water with low environmental impact, (2) Social - treating water for safe drinking, prevention of diseases, and (3) Economic - the dynamics of the water industry.

Water and Wastewater Technology - XWTP 0030 Water Supply Protection
This course represents the third portion of XWTP 1700 Water Sources. The course is designed to give the student an understanding of what environmental factors influence source waters, what pre-planning can be done to provide alternatives sources should the usual supply become unusable and what efforts can be made to protect source waters for future generations.

Water and Wastewater Technology - XWTP 0050 Small Water System Operations
The main objective of the course is to ensure a safe and reliable water supply as it applies to small systems. A "Small System" is defined as any water system being used for consumption or food preparation, serving up to 500 persons during any 24 hour period. The course will focus on the required principles of small water systems from an operational and maintenance perspective. Strong emphasis on safety and regulatory requirements as well as an introduction to the applied sciences and trades will ensure an operator can function effectively and confidently. This course is approved as appropriate training by the Environmental Operators Certification Program (EOCP) for the education requirement when applying to write the Small Water System Certification Exam.

Water and Wastewater Technology - XWTP 0170 Environmental Legislation
The course provides students with an understanding of the basic principles of law, with an emphasizes on Statutes, Environmental law, and the legislative framework under which most water suppliers must legally operate. This section will also cover the concepts of due diligence, standards of care and liability while looking at torts and case law.

Water and Wastewater Technology - XWTP 0200 WaterSafe BC
The WaterSafe course is to provide you with the basic information you will need to be an effective supplier of water and to receive a WaterSafe certificate for small water systems. It will introduce you to the core concepts of small water systems and describe your responsibilities. Another key goal is to show you how to keep water clean and safe. In addition, you will learn about how to prevent health problems related to water system operation and maintenance.

Water and Wastewater Technology - XWTP 0290 Treatment Process Pathway
This course designed to teach the student the process and direction of water movement through the treatment facility. Topics include hydraulic profile, overflow and spill protection, process and instrumentation drawing and formula calculation. Pump identification, selection and maintenance are also covered.

Water and Wastewater Technology - XWTP 0310 Municipal Water & Wastewater Pumping
This course covers support systems typical in treatment facilities such as high-pressure air systems, blowers, compressors, vacuum pumps, pneumatic valve operator systems and process air systems. It is also designed to teach the student about chemical used in water treatment, along with associated hazards. Additionally, topics such as sludge and residual handling, building mechanical systems, maintenance and associated responsibilities will be discussed.

Water and Wastewater Technology - XWTP 0500 Inorganic Species in Water
This course is designed to introduce students to the issues and analysis of metals and non-metals (inorganic species) in water systems. Topics will include identification, and removal processes, oxidation and reduction, and environmental sources of metals and non-metals.

Water and Wastewater Technology - XWTP 0620 Standard Disinfection Practices
This course deals with chlorination, ozonation and UV disinfection. The student will be able to describe forms of chlorine used for disinfection: chlorine gas, sodium hypochlorite, calcium hypochlorite, chlorination. Explain ozone chemistry and properties. Explain how the UV disinfection process works. Describe the chlorination, ozonation and UV disinfection process and equipment, review benefits, misuse and safety plus review the legislation relating to chlorination, ozonation and UV disinfection.

Water and Wastewater Technology - XWTP 0700 Microbiology
The purpose of this course is to expand on the microbiology basic principles covered in the XWTP 0690. Topics include bacteria, viruses, protozoa, algae, and fungi. Sampling, detection, and identification are also covered.

Water and Wastewater Technology - XWTP 0900 Small Wastewater Operation Systems
This Small Wastewater Operation Systems course will introduce Small Wastewater Systems Operator to the numerous tasks and knowledge necessary in day-to-day operation such as wastewater characteristics, regulations, chemistry, collection, treatment and disposal. Students will also be eligible to write an Environmental Operators Certification Program (EOCP) Small Wastewater System certification examination if they have 50 hours over a six calendar months of hands-on experience in a wastewater collection and/or treatment.

WTP 0640 – Cross Connection Control
This water related course teaches the hydraulic principles of backflow combined with testing of backflow prevention assemblies. The requirements for BCWWA examination are employment in a water or health-related field. For more details please contact BCWWA at 604-433-4389. There is an additional examination fee payable to BCWWA. NOTE: Prerequisite: Water Purveyor (Municipal Employees), journeyed or apprentice plumbers, steamfitters or sprinkler fitters, civil or mechanical engineer, manufacturers agent, irrigation-related personnel, or public health official.


Do the figures reported above cover one, two, or three academic years?:
One

Does the institution have at least one sustainability-focused certificate program through its continuing education or extension department?:
Yes

A brief description of the certificate program(s):

Renewable Energy Fundamentals for Electricians (Certificate Program).

This 16 week program provides students with the knowledge and skills needed to install and maintain Renewable Energy power generation systems and equipment. The program covers industrial, commercial, institutional, power generation and residential settings in compliance with appropriate codes, standards, and industry best practices.
Upon completion, all students earn a Certificate of Completion from TRU, and qualified Electrical Red Seal students will be eligible to register for the CSA NOC 7241 Solar Installer exam, earning a nationally recognized certification.
Students who complete this program have a leading advantage in the growing renewable energy sector of the electrical industry. Canada’s renewable industry is growing at exponential rates, exceeding 16% of Canada’s total energy supply, and over 60% of electricity generated, according to Natural Resources Canada.

https://www.tru.ca/trades/continuing-studies/electrical.html


Website URL where information about the institution’s continuing education courses and programs in sustainability is available:
Additional documentation to support the submission:
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Data source(s) and notes about the submission:

Contact persons for each department under Continuing Studies were contacted for confirmation about valid programs listed.
https://www.tru.ca/programs/community.html

Note: The course inventory was captured during a COVID-19 pandemic year (2021 – 2022) which contributed to a smaller number of course offering compared to other years. Sustainability related courses that have been offered on an annual basis continued to be offered throughout this time period thus the percentage of sustainability courses offered is slightly higher than for previous STARS reports.

Contact information: Heather Hamilton, Associate Director, Community Education and Workforce Training - hhamilton@tru.ca


Contact persons for each department under Continuing Studies were contacted for confirmation about valid programs listed.
https://www.tru.ca/programs/community.html

Note: The course inventory was captured during a COVID-19 pandemic year (2021 – 2022) which contributed to a smaller number of course offering compared to other years. Sustainability related courses that have been offered on an annual basis continued to be offered throughout this time period thus the percentage of sustainability courses offered is slightly higher than for previous STARS reports.

Contact information: Heather Hamilton, Associate Director, Community Education and Workforce Training - hhamilton@tru.ca

The information presented here is self-reported. While AASHE staff review portions of all STARS reports and institutions are welcome to seek additional forms of review, the data in STARS reports are not verified by AASHE. If you believe any of this information is erroneous or inconsistent with credit criteria, please review the process for inquiring about the information reported by an institution or simply email your inquiry to stars@aashe.org.