Certifications & training
Some employers require or recommend you to have specific certifications or training. Learn more about common certifications here, as well as how you can get them.
The new StrongerBC Future Skills Grant covers up to $3,500 for eligible short-term skills training at public post-secondary institutions. Learn more about eligible training.
This list is to get you started. Check with organizations directly for up-to-date information.
First aid & CPR
Emergency and standard first aid and CPR
- Alert First Aid
- Recreation Oak Bay
- Red Cross Society
- Saanich Parks and Recreation
- St. John's Ambulance
- UVic Vikes Athletics and Recreation
Wilderness first aid
- Alert First Aid
- PEAK First Aid Training (Vancouver)
- RockyPoint Outdoor Education
- Slipstream
- Wilderness Alert
- West Coast Adventure College
Occupational first aid
Fitness, aquatics & outdoor education
Fitness training
- BC Recreation and Parks Association – offers courses throughout BC
- Recreation Oak Bay – offers courses on fitness theory, group fitness, weight training and more
Outdoor education
Criminal record check
Some employers require that you submit a criminal record check before you start work, especially if you will work with or may have unsupervised access to children or vulnerable adults.
There is typically a charge per check, but some employers will cover this cost. The fee is sometimes waived for certain types of volunteer work.
You can get a criminal record check through your local community police station:
Operating vehicles & boats
Driving
Boating – Pleasure Craft Operator's Card
You may need this certification if you plan to work in or around boats. You can get this card by taking an accredited Transport Canada boating safety test and scoring at least 75 per cent. Transport Canada recommends that you take a safe boating course before this test.
These Victoria companies teach the course and offer testing:
- Local recreation centres (contact the one nearest you)
- Victoria Power and Sail Squadron
- Heads-up Navigation
Occupational health & safety
Occupational Health and Safety
UVic Occupational Health, Safety and Environment – some courses and training sessions are open to students for free either online or in-class. There are some very useful training seminars, including WHMIS, ergonomics and bio/lab safety.
Workplace Hazardous Material Information System (WHMIS) training
WHMIS is Canada's national hazard communication standard. This course trains you to work in environments with hazardous materials. You can complete WHMIS training through:
TB testing
Employers in health care or child care often require you to receive a tuberculosis (TB) test. Current UVic students can receive this test at the Student Wellness Centre. Provincial health plans cover this cost.
Hospitality & food service
- FoodSafe – food service
- Serving It Right – beverage service
- Superhost – customer service
Computer & foundational skills
Business software courses
Connect with these programs to learn Microsoft Office software (Word, Excel, Powerpoint, etc.), which is often required to work in office and administrative positions:
Foundational skills courses through Continuing Studies
Continuing Studies at UVic offers a wide range of foundational programs and courses to help you learn the latest technology and software tools. Opportunities include:
- Administrative technology - professional development certificate, which includes courses in:
- digital communication
- Microsoft Office bootcamp
- project management
- cloud computing for business
- social media
- data analysis
See other options through Continuing Studies.
Keyboard testing (typing)
Some employers will ask you to complete a keyboard test to prove your typing skills. You should ask if the testing includes both speed and accuracy, as some only test your speed. Improve your typing skills with courses at:
- Camosun College
- Sprott-Shaw Community College
- Academy of Learning
- Westshore Centre for Learning and Training
Social media
Excel training
Leadership & professional development
Everybody Gets to Play
Everybody Gets to Play is a Canada-wide initiative led by the Canadian Parks and Recreation Association (CPRA) to make recreation more accessible for low-income children and their families.
Fundamental movement skills
Sport for Life Society – learn more about physical literacy, which children need to learn before they learn fundamental sport skills.
HIGH FIVE
HIGH FIVE is a system of quality assurance training, resources and tools to support the safety, well-being and healthy development of children aged 6 to 12 years in sport and recreation settings.
Leisure Development Course
The Leisure Development Course is a not-for-profit program providing professional development learning designed for park, recreation, culture and community development personnel.
Strategies for Challenging Behaviours
Strategies for Challenging Behaviours is a 3-hour workshop to help those who work with groups of school-age children (especially at-risk children) improve their ability to address challenging behaviour.
Women In Leadership
Women In Leadership – Designed for women by women, this workshop series blends theory with practical applications and provides an opportunity for women working, studying or volunteering in the sport community to share experiences, reflect on ideas and apply specific techniques.