Training and Certification

The Ski Lift Mechanic Policies and Procedures outline requirements for Ski Lift Mechanic certification in Ontario, including:

Important definitions
Information on Skills Passports
Certificate holder's rights, privileges and obligations

Information regarding suspension of ED/Ski Cont.Education Recertification Requirement during COVID-19

Notice to: Accredited Elevating Device Mechanic Continuing Education Providers, Elevating Device and Ski Lift Mechanics (under Ontario Regulation 222/01)

Be advised the Director of Elevating Devices in Ontario will permit Elevating and Ski Lift Mechanics whose certificates expire beginning March 16, 2020 to renew their certificates under Ontario Regulation 222/01 (Certification and Training of Elevating Device Mechanics) without having completed the continuous education requirements mandated by the Elevating Device Mechanics Policies and Procedures and Director’s Order ED-272-18, so long as the certificate holders renew their certificates with TSSA prior to their date of expiry.

In addition, certificate holders who are permitted to renew their certificates under this exception will be required to complete their outstanding continuing education requirements, and submit proof of completion to the Director, within 120 days from the date that social distancing requirements and the State of Emergency is lifted by the Government of Ontario.

Therefore, please be advised that Elevating Device Mechanics and/or Ski Lift Mechanics who wish to continue to work must still renew their certificates before their date of expiry. This is mandated by Ontario Regulation 222/01:
Subsection 5(1): An application to renew a certificate shall be made to the director… and be accompanied by the fee set out by the designated administrative authority.

Subsection 5(4): If a mechanic fails to renew his or her certificate before it expires, the mechanics shall not work as a mechanic after the date of expiry of the certificate…

The suspension of the requirement to have to complete continuing education requirements shall remain in effect until further notice by the Director.

Background:
In response to the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, the Technical Standards and Safety Authority (“TSSA”), is taking precautionary measures to protect our employees, partners and customers. Recertification training and continuous education may require certificate holders to attend in-class training sessions, which may not comply with the social distancing guidelines; therefore, the requirements have been suspended for a period of time.

Certification process

As outlined in Ontario Regulation 222/01: Certification and Training of Elevating Device Mechanics and the Ski Lift Mechanic Policies and Procedures document, ski lift mechanics-in-training or mechanics who are seeking a higher certification classification (i.e. SLM-A, SLM-F, etc.) must submit an application for assessment that follows the Ski Lift Mechanic Certification Process.

Skills Passports

All ski lift mechanics and mechanics-in-training must hold and maintain a Ski Lift Mechanic Skills Passport for the scope of work they are performing.

The Skills Passport is designed to provide a graphic representation of the experience and skills acquired in a number of specific areas within the passenger ropeway/ski lift industry. In addition to being a requirement for certification, the document also serves to point supervising mechanics, inspectors, employers and mechanics-in-training toward areas requiring additional experience.

Reinstatement process

As outlined in Ontario Regulation 222/01 and the Ski Lift Mechanic Policies and Procedures document, ski lift mechanics and mechanics-in-training must apply for reinstatement if they have failed to renew their certificate of qualification within 12 months from the date of expiry. TSSA assesses all applicants on an individual basis.

Applicants approved for reinstatement of a Ski Lift Mechanic certificate (i.e. SLM-A, SLM-F) must also complete a written examination in order to qualify for reinstatement of the certificate.

Non-matched out-of-province certificate assessment

As outlined in the Ski Lift Mechanic Policies and Procedures document, out-of-province applicants who have completed a training program(s) in their home jurisdiction or those with existing qualifications in Ontario may apply for an Out-of-Province Certificate assessment.

Certification and Examination Applications

If you are submitting a request for certification, reinstatement or an out of province assessment, you must submit the following forms:

Training providers

Training providers must be accredited by TSSA before they are eligible to provide or offer a training program to the public. In order for an individual/organization to become accredited, they must submit an application that meets established accreditation and curriculum requirements.

Contact(s)