Education · 1 of 4

The path

Two common routes: straight through college, or a trade first and safety later.

1. 1

   High school

   Grades 11 and 12

   Grade 12 English, math and a science. Averages in the 60s and 70s are usually enough for a college program.

2. 2

   Pick a route

   Route one: a two-year college diploma in occupational health and safety. Route two: finish a trade or work a few years in industry, then add safety training part time. Employers respect both.

3. 3

   Entry job

   1 to 3 years

   Site safety coordinator, safety administrator or junior advisor. You will be the youngest person on site telling experienced workers to fix something.

4. 4

   Build the hours

   About 4 years

   Certification bodies count years of real safety work, not classroom time.

5. 5

   Certify

   After about 4 years of experience

   Apply for the CRSP (Canadian Registered Safety Professional) designation and pass its exam. It is the credential most Canadian job postings name.