Université de Sherbrooke
EN-9: Staff Professional Development

Several professional development and training opportunities related to sustainability, encompassing one or all dimensions of the concept (social, economic and environmental), are offered to staff members, and that, through different University’s services (i.e. Human Resources Service, Continuing Education University Training Center (Centre universitaire de formation continue (CUFC)), Environment and Sustainable Development University Training Center (Centre universitaire de formation en environnement et développement durable (CUFE)), Environmental Health and Safety Division (Division de la santé et de la sécurité en milieu de travail et d’études (SSMTE)). For instance, a development day is scheduled annually and intended for professional staff. This day usually offers four conferences structured around a specific theme that varies each year. Over the last three years, various topics related to sustainability have been addressed such as diversity, inclusion, nutrition and food chain, and psychological and organizational health. A development day, the Staff Day (Journée du personnel), is also organized for all staff, where several sports, social and cultural activities are held with the aim of creating a network of collaboration and mutual support between employees. More than 1,000 staff members participated to the last iteration, which occurs yearly. The Environment and Sustainable Development University Training Center (Centre universitaire de formation en environnement et développement durable (CUFE) offers open-to-all discussion lunches called Midi- Mad du CUFE, which address various topics in sustainable development, such as ecology, urban planning, education and the economy. Occupational health and safety training courses are offered to members of the University community by the Environmental Health and Safety Division (Division de la santé et de la sécurité en milieu de travail et d’études (SSMTE)). In fact, it trained 1,385 people in 2018. The training courses cover various topics such as biosafety and biosecurity, chemical risk management, transportation of hazardous materials, drinking water, air quality, occupational health and safety, ergonomics and safe maternity. Also, laboratory health and safety training is given to employees (and students) exposed to hazardous materials. This training is linked to the Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS). In addition, available guides, work procedures and safety manuals are constantly updated in collaboration with faculty members, teaching and research staff as well as by students.

Employees can also upgrade their knowledge and skills on issues such as sustainability through short-term activities, for instance symposium, conferences or seminars, supported by the institution. In these cases, employees’ expenses are reimbursed, though special conditions may vary according to staff categories.

Continuing Education University Training Center (CUFC) https://www.usherbrooke.ca/cufc/ Annual Development Day https://www.usherbrooke.ca/apapus/services-aux-membres/le-perfectionnement/journees-annuelles-de-perfectionnement/ Staff Day https://www.usherbrooke.ca/personnel/journee-du-personnel/ Environmental Health and Safety Division https://www.usherbrooke.ca/immeubles/sante-et-securite/formations-et-inscriptions/