Step 3: Training

The training needed by individual team members will vary depending on the experience of the individuals of your team, your monitoring priorities, knowledge needs, your geographic location as well as your project timeline and budget. You may find that your training needs change over time and therefore it’s important to plan for and invest in ongoing training. In addition, developing an in-house training manual or standard operating procedures can be a helpful resource to support on-boarding and training of new employees.

The following are examples of types of training your team may need to succeed:

• Project management: Writing proposals, budgeting and work planning; time management; report writing.
• Technical environmental monitoring planning and procedures: Planning an effective monitoring project, observation, data collection/sampling techniques (in relation to climate, water quality or quantity, fisheries, wildlife, sea or freshwater ice, etc.).
• Cultural competency: Cultural protocols, Elder interview protocols, ceremony, language, Indigenous laws, and Indigenous Knowledge.
• Interpersonal skills: Written and oral communication, public speaking, conflict resolution, problem solving, meeting facilitation, interview skills, diplomacy, leadership, active listening, teamwork, and collaboration.
• Health and safety: Wilderness First Aid, Bear Aware, Firearms Safety, All-Terrain Vehicle Operations, Chainsaw Safety, Pleasure Craft Operator, Swift Water Rescue, Ice Rescue, Working Alone, COVID-19 Protocols, etc.
• Computer skills, mapping, data analysis, and management: Microsoft Office, mapping software, environmental monitoring software, data management software, and statistics.
• Climate change awareness: Traditional Ecological Knowledge, weather and climate change science, climate change impacts, climate change adaptation, climate action, etc.

When determining what training members of the project team may need, it can be helpful to be aware of the different styles of training:

• Formal training: Typically offered by an academic institution or training provider (not-for-profit or for-profit organization). Formal training can take place outdoors, in a classroom workshop, or in an on-line environment. Training by a formal provider usually results in the participant receiving a certificate, diploma, or degree.
• Informal training: Typically received through interactions with colleagues, peers, Knowledge keepers or Elders. These interactions can take place within the community, on-the-land, through gatherings, etc.. In these situations, knowledge and/or skills is usually transferred through knowledge exchange, mentorship, and guidance.

There are many training opportunities available depending on your needs. Training opportunities are often short in duration and can range from a few hours to a few days and in some cases, several weeks. Some training and certification programs may be more accessible than others, depending on your budget, geographic location, access to internet and/or ability to travel. You may have a need to develop a tailored training program if you can’t identify training that suits your needs. In this case, it can be helpful to partner with an outside training provider, research institute and/or academic institution.

There are also opportunities to access training/education at a post-secondary level. Programs can range from 1 to 4 years and offer certificates, diplomas, or degrees. Some college and university programs have transfer agreements which reduces the amount of time needed to obtain both a diploma and degree. Consult the training inventory where you will find an evergreen (but not exhaustive) list of training opportunities that may be relevant to your project and team needs.

It’s critical to ensure that all project members have the knowledge and/or training so that they can conduct their activities in a safe way and know what to do in the case of an emergency. Health and safety training can help members of the project team prepare for different situations while out on the land, water, or ice, including using any required tools effectively and safely. Your community may already have a well-established health and safety program and organize regular training. To help you determine what kind of health and safety training your project team may need that is not already required by your community, it can be helpful to assess the potential hazards before you head out on the land to your sampling site. Refer to the Health and Safety page to find out more. For specific health and safety training opportunities, please see the Health and Safety section of the training inventory, though it’s important to note that other opportunities exist, so you may wish to conduct your own search.