Micro-credentials can support the advancement of the OHS professional who is expected by employers, government, workers and other stakeholders to possess the necessary skills, knowledge and abilities to meet the needs of the 21st century workplace. Micro-credentials vary in content and format, therefore the employer would need to assess the applicability to a specific area of employment.

A key skill set that most occupational health and safety practitioners need to develop as their careers advance includes the soft skills. Access to the Essential Soft Skills Training (ESST) micro-credential program will have great appeal for our employee group and other occupational health and safety practitioners.

I believe that the Essential Soft Skills Training micro-credential program would enhance the employability of recent graduates and allow them to be hired into positions where they have the ability to do the technical work but lack the demonstrated soft skills that today’s employers are looking for.

As an emergency manager, I have witnessed first-hand the successes and challenges associated with the soft skills that people exhibit in crisis…there is a clear need for professional development training that assists adult learners at all stages of their professional life in the development of soft-skills… a focused micro-credential program like ESST has application to a broad audience and at all levels of an organization.

I would say that one of the most exciting aspects of this course is its practicality. You'll have the opportunity to practice and refine soft skills. Another engaging topic for me was critical thinking and problem-solving. The process of identifying assumptions, examining biases and considering multiple perspectives captivated me and encouraged me to think outside the box and approach challenges with a creative mindset.