Human Factors/Ergonomics Education and Certification: The Canadian Experience

摘要

The Canadian College for the Certification of Professional Ergonomists (CCCPE) is responsible for ensuring certificants (CCPE and AE) meet minimum educational levels and at least four years work practice (for CCPE). The Association of Canadian Ergonomists - Association canadienne d'er-gonomie supports the CCCPE but each educational institution determines the number and scope of ergonomics course offerings. Relevant courses exist at institutions across Canada, with the exception of the full-time programs in the Prairie provinces, but in limited number. Only four programs are designed currently to ensure graduates qualify for AE, two in Ontario in English for Kinesiology students and two in Québec in French open to various undergraduate degree holders. Nineteen post-secondary institutions offer some ergonomics courses but their number and focus varies, most frequently offered within kinesiology or movement science programs. The number of qualified, certified human factors and ergonomics practitioners is growing well, but could improve with more courses for those in the Prairie region and those with non-kinesiology backgrounds outside of Québec.