The Technical Standards and Safety Authority (TSSA) administers the certification of occupations regulated under the Technical Safety and Standards Act, 2000. As specified in Ontario Regulation 222/01, Certification and Training of Elevating Device Mechanics, TSSA offers certification and training services for Ski Lift Mechanics in Ontario.
TSSA’s Ski Lift Mechanic Policies and Procedures (pdf) outline the certification requirements for Ski Lift Mechanics. This document includes important definitions, information on the different Skills Passports, and the rights, privileges, and obligations of a certificate holder.
- Ski Lift Mechanic Certifications Offered by TSSA
- Ski Lift Mechanic Class A (SLM-A)
- Ski Lift Mechanic Class B (SLM-B)
- Ski Lift Mechanic Class C (SLM-C)
- Ski Lift Mechanic Class F (SLM-F)
- Ski Lift Mechanic Mechanic-In-Training, Class T (SLM-T)
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. A Skills Passport, known officially as the Ski Lift Mechanic Practical Skills Sign-Off Document, documents the experience and skills acquired in several specific areas within the passenger ropeway or ski lift industry.
In addition to being a requirement for certification, a Skills Passport helps supervising mechanics, inspectors, employers, and mechanics-in-training identify areas where a Skills Passport holder may require additional experience.
Download the Ski Lift Mechanic Skills Passport (pdf) and get the required signatures.
Certification and Examination
Certification for SLM-T
Ski Lift Mechanics-in-training or mechanics who are seeking SLM-T certification must follow the steps below:
Step 1: Apply through the TSSA Client Portal
Under the ‘Applications’ section, select ‘Apply for Examination, Certification or Training Provider Services’ and follow the steps.
Step 2: Attach Documents
Submit a copy of your valid WHMIS certificate and employment letter.
Step 3: Pay the fee as set out in the Fee Schedule
Certification for SLM-A to SLM-F
Ski Lift Mechanics-in-training or mechanics who are seeking a higher certification classification, namely SLM-A to SLM-F, must follow the steps below:
Step 1: Submit a request through the Client Portal:
Under the ‘Applications’ section, select ‘Apply for Examination, Certification or Training Provider Services’ and follow the steps.
Step 2: Attach detailed documentation of work experience
Include letters from current and/or previous employers on company letterhead, signed by an authorized person of the company, verifying the nature of the work experience. Details must include, but are not limited to, specific periods during which experience was gained, identifying specific types of Passenger Ropeways and the nature of work performed (i.e., detachable or fixed grip, working in maintenance or construction, and in what capacity).
If verification of work experience cannot be obtained from a previous employer, or the applicant is the owner or contractor, TSSA’s Director will review and may accept a Notarized Statutory Declaration by a Notary Public or Commissioner for Taking Oaths. Submit the original declaration and include the above information.
Step 3: Practical Skills or Experience Sign-Off Document (Skills Passport)
Attach a copy of the completed Skills Passport using the template provided by TSSA or Skilled Trades Ontario. A current or valid supervising mechanic must accurately document the experience and training of the ski lift mechanic gained during the qualifying period by completing the required fields in the Skills Passport.
Step 4: Pay the fee per the Fee Schedule
Applicants who follow the above procedure can expect a response from TSSA within 15 business days.
Certificate Renewal
A valid certificate indicates that a Ski Lift Mechanic is legally authorized to operate in a TSSA-regulated industry. To renew a Ski Lift Mechanic certificate, holders of all classes of Ski Lift Mechanics (SLM) must complete at least four hours of instruction from an Accredited Training Provider. Certificate holders must upload a copy of the completed continuing education certificate and pay the renewal invoice through the Client Portal before the current certificate expires.
A banner will be displayed in the Client Portal 60 days before your current certificate expires as a reminder to submit the continuing education certificate.
Certificate Reinstatement
Ski lift mechanics must apply for recertification if they failed to renew their certificate within 12 months of the expiry date, as outlined in Ontario Regulation 222/01: Certification and Training of Elevating Device Mechanics. Submit a request through the Client Portal. The following documents must be submitted along with the reinstatement application:
Step 1: Detailed documentation providing proof of work experience
Include letters from current and/or previous employers on company letterhead, signed by an authorized person of the company, verifying the nature of the work experience. Details must include, but are not limited to, specific periods during which experience was gained, identifying specific types of Passenger Ropeways and the nature of work performed (i.e., detachable or fixed grip, working in maintenance or construction, and in what capacity).
If verification of work experience cannot be obtained from previous employer(s) or the applicant is the owner or contractor, TSSA’s Director will review and may accept a Notarized Statutory Declaration by a Notary Public or Commissioner for Taking Oaths. Submit the original declaration and include the above information.
Step 2: Practical Skills or Experience Sign-Off Document (Skills Passport)
Attach a copy of the completed Skills Passport using the template provided by TSSA or Skilled Trades Ontario. A current or valid supervising mechanic must accurately document the experience and training of the ski lift mechanic gained during the qualifying period by completing the required fields in the Skills Passport.
Step 3: A copy of the Continuing Education certificate
Step 4: Pay the application fee as set out in the Fee Schedule
Applicants who follow the above procedure can expect a response from TSSA within 15 business days.
Out-of-Province: Equivalent Certificate
Applying for a certificate from outside Ontario allows an individual certified for a specific occupation in one province or territory to be recognized for the equivalent certification in another province or territory without additional material training, experience, examinations, or assessments. Encouraging recognition of matched certification across Canada benefits both workers and employers alike. For more information on recognized out-of-province equivalent certificates and how to apply, visit Out-of-Province Certificate Holders.
Out-of-Province: Applying without Recognized Equivalency
Out-of-province applicants who have acquired work experience in their home jurisdiction will be required to write a qualifying exam. Out-of-province applicants who have completed a training program in their home jurisdiction, or those with existing qualifications in Ontario may apply for an out-of-province assessment.
Follow the steps below to apply. All documents submitted for assessment must be translated into English by a certified translator. The original certified translated documents must also be submitted.
Step 1: Submit a request through the Client Portal
Under the ‘Applications’ section, select ‘Apply for Examination, Certification or Training Provider Services’ and follow the steps.
Step 2: Attach detailed documentation providing proof of work experience
Include letters from current and/or previous employers on company letterhead, signed by an authorized person of the company, verifying the nature of the work experience. Details must include, but are not limited to, specific periods during which experience was gained, identifying specific types of Passenger Ropeways and the nature of work performed (i.e., detachable or fixed grip, working in maintenance or construction, and in what capacity).
If verification of work experience cannot be obtained from previous employers, or the applicant is the owner or contractor, TSSA’s Director will review and may accept a Notarized Statutory Declaration by a Notary Public or Commissioner for Taking Oaths. Submit the original declaration and include the above information.
Step 3: Training Programs or Courses
- Submit a list of detailed training programs or courses completed that relate to the certification classification applied for (i.e., SLM-A, SLM-F, etc.).
- Submit detailed course outlines as they relate to the completed training programs or courses that relate to the certification classification applied for (i.e., SLM-A, SLM-F, etc.).
- Transcripts are mandatory
Step 4: Confirmation of Out-of-Province Certification
Submit copies of out-of-province certification as appropriate.
Step 5: Legislation
Submit copies of the appropriate legislation as it pertains to the scope of authorization or certification.
Step 6: Pay the fee as set out in the Fee Schedule
Applicants who follow the above procedure can expect a response from TSSA within 15 business days.