The Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) program includes a required work placement that allows students to apply their learning in a real workplace setting.
Below are answers to common questions from students
considering the program.
About the work placement
Is a work placement required to complete the OHS program?
Yes. A work placement is a required component of the full-time OHS program.
How long is the work placement?
The work placement is six (6) weeks in length.
When does the work placement take place within the
program?
The work placement takes place at the end of the program and is the
final requirement students complete before graduation.
Is the work placement full-time or part-time?
The placement is full-time for the full six (6) week period.
Is the placement paid or unpaid?
The work placement is unpaid.
Is the placement guaranteed?
Yes, an appropriate placement will be arranged by the program through a
designated instructor. Conditional on the successful completion of all (OH&S)
Certificate program theory courses.
Where placements happen
What types of organizations host OHS students for work
placement?
Work placements occur across a wide range of industries where occupational
health and safety professionals are employed. These may include private,
public, and non-profit organizations.
Are placements mostly in Winnipeg or are there options
outside the city?
Placements are primarily located in Winnipeg, though opportunities
outside the city may be available in some cases.
Do placements include construction, manufacturing,
healthcare, or public sector organizations?
Yes. Placements may occur across many sectors, including construction,
manufacturing, healthcare, and the public sector, depending on availability and
program needs.
Will I be working with an experienced safety
professional?
The student
will work under the guidance of an experienced Safety & Health
Facilitator/Coordinator and the RRC Workplace Experience Instructor.
Student involvement and expectations
Do I need to find my own placement?
No. The program arranges all work placements on behalf of students.
Can I contact employers directly to arrange a placement?
No. Students must not contact employers directly to arrange a work
placement.
The OHS program maintains long-standing relationships with
industry partners. These relationships are coordinated and managed through the
Work Placement Instructor to ensure placements meet learning, supervision, and
safety requirements.
Can I use my current employer as my work placement?
To guarantee fair and unbiased practicum experience and avoid any possible
conflict of interest students cannot use their current employer.
What happens if I already work in health and safety?
The work placement is a required academic component of the program regardless
of past or present work experience.
Readiness and support
What kinds of tasks or responsibilities do students
typically have during placement?
The work placement provides
the opportunity to apply the theories, principles and techniques involved in
the planning, implementation and monitoring of an effective safety and health
system in the workplace. Task can include but are not limited to, risk
assessments, hazard recognition, auditing, preparing safe work procedures, and
conducting safety and health training.
How does the program make sure placements are safe and
appropriate?
The program has a rigorous placement process designed to ensure student
safety and appropriate learning opportunities. Each placement is reviewed to
confirm it meets program expectations.
While every effort is made to find a strong match for each
student, placements are based on availability and program requirements and may
not align with a student’s preferred industry or organization.
Who supports students during the work placement?
Students are supported throughout their placement by an experienced health and
safety mentor and the work placement instructor.
What happens if a placement isn’t a good fit?
Students and workplace mentors will be made aware of expectations prior to the
start of the placement. The program works with students and mentors to address
concerns that arise during placement.
Timing, planning, and accommodations
When will I know where my placement is?
Work placements should be determined at least two weeks before the placement
starts. There may be placements that have additional administrative
requirements well in advance of the start date, so some students may be
informed sooner than others.
Do placements ever require security clearance or extra
onboarding?
Some placements may require security clearance or additional onboarding. The
program works with students to ensure these requirements are completed where
applicable.
Can the placement timing be adjusted if I have special
circumstances?
The work placement takes place at the end of the program and follows a defined
schedule. Adjustments are limited.
What if I require an accommodation?
Students who require accommodation should contact RRC Polytech Accessibility Services
before starting the program so appropriate arrangements can be explored
and put in place.