Q&A with Our Safety Expert: Why Certificate Programs Matter

When it comes to safety, experience matters – and so does continued education. We interviewed our Senior Safety Trainer, Andrea Jensen, to discuss the importance of certificate programs in today’s workplace and how they can help safety professionals and organizations stay ahead.

  • Q: Why do you believe certificate programs are important for safety professionals at any stage in their career?

    A: I think a certificate expands the knowledge of any safety professional no matter what stage of their career. An ASC has a variety of classes that can be taken to reaffirm knowledge or give a new perspective on a topic that a safety professional may have learned years ago.

  • Q: What specific skills or knowledge do participants gain from high-level certificate courses that they may not get through everyday experience?

    A: For some of the longer ASC courses the skills a safety professional can gain or improve are soft skills – communication, active listening, organization, and problem solving. Also, depending on what that safety professional’s wheelhouse is a class could increase knowledge about a topic they are not that familiar with or want to become more familiar with.

  • Q: What sets apart a safety professional who has completed a certificate program from one who hasn’t?

    A: To be honest a certificate is not a certification like one from the BCSP, this means companies may not be looking for the COSS or ASC for hiring purposes like they do a CSP or OHST, but that does not mean a certificate is not worthwhile. For a newer safety professional, a certificate helps to identify what knowledge base they need to be successful in the safety field. For an experienced safety professional, a certificate improves knowledge and may expand their skills.

  • Q: What value does a company gain when its safety team members complete higher-level safety certificate programs?

    A: A company gains more knowledgeable safety professionals.

  • Q: Do you think having a certificate helps safety professionals stand out for promotions or leadership roles? Why?

    A: No, not the certificate itself. The knowledge you gain from the classes taken and how you use that knowledge will help to set those safety professionals apart.

  • Q: What would you say to someone who’s unsure whether a certificate program is worth their time or investment?

    A: I would say take a look at what the description of the certificate classes are and ask yourself – does the description interest me? Does the description fill in some gaps of knowledge I may have? Could the class help me improve my skill set. If you answer yes to any of these questions the time and investment is worth it.

Ready to take your safety knowledge to the next level?

Whether you’re looking to enhance your skillset, take on more responsibility, or build a stronger safety culture within your organization, our certificate programs are a great next step.

Explore our available certificate programs and find the one that’s right for you.

NDSC Certificate Programs