Frequently asked questions - best practices

Answer: To comply with the ESDC Learning Policy, all employees are required to take mandatory training. This will ensure that they have the necessary knowledge, skills and competencies to effectively carry out their duties safely and efficiently. This is fundamental to strengthening the capacity of the Department to deliver on its mandate.

These guidelines provide a departmental framework for mandatory training that is integrally linked to performance management. A well-trained, competent and capable workforce is the key to building a higher-performing organization.

Reference: ESDC's Mandatory Training Guidelines (PDF, 828 KB)

Answer: The Human Resources Services Branch (HRSB) has established an open, transparent process to modify curricula of mandatory training biannually. Employees at all levels can provide their input through communities and networks.

At the departmental level, the Strategic Human Resources Committee (SHRC) reviews and analyzes requests for modification and prepares recommendations for final approval by the Corporate Management Committee (CMC).

Answer: Treasury Board Required Training refers to a specific list of required courses and certifications defined by the Treasury Board Secretariat's (TBS) Policy on Learning, Training and Development and the Directive on the Administration of Required Training for all employees in the federal public service. The Canada School of Public Service (CSPS) is the official training provider. ESDC mandatory training consists of courses and programs determined by the Corporate Management Committee (CMC) as mandatory for all Employees in the Department. The College@ESDC is responsible for designing the curriculum and offering the training to ESDC Employees. Refer to the College's iService website for information about requirements and completion timeframe for mandatory training.

Answer: That is correct. The task of properly identifying Mandatory and Required training has been simplified. Since June 3rd, 2019, all employees, managers and executives have access to their very own curriculum directly from the My Plan page in Saba.

The following are the New Curricula that have been established as per your function within the Department:

1. ESDC Mandatory Training Curriculum for Employees
2. ESDC Mandatory Training Curriculum for Managers (including Supervisors and Team Leaders) Without Signing Authority;
3. ESDC Mandatory Training Curriculum for Managers With Financial Delegation Only
4. ESDC Mandatory Training Curriculum for Managers With Financial and Staffing Delegation
5. ESDC Mandatory Training Curriculum for Executives

Employee and Executive curricula are automatically assigned and can be found on the My Plan page in Saba

Managers need to self-identify for your curriculum based on your function before it will be automatically loaded into your Saba profile (e.g. Supervisor/Team Leader, without financial delegation, financial delegation only, or with financial and staffing delegation). Once you have identified yourself from one of the three groups, select Self-identify for this curriculum and register.

The new curricula consist of courses that are already found in Saba. In addition, certain CSPS courses are also available in Saba.

To access the new mandatory training curriculum:

1. Access ESDC Mandatory Training iService page;
2. Choose your role;
3. Select Go to my curriculum to access your Saba account;
4. Follow the two-step registration process;
   1. Select Register;
   2. Select Complete Registration; and
5. Start your training!

You should now see the completion status of your personalized Mandatory Training Curriculum in a progression bar found above the list of courses.

Note: All New managers and executives must complete the mandatory training curriculum for Employees as well as their respective curriculum.

Answer: All indeterminate and term employees across ESDC, Service Canada and the Labour Program need to take mandatory training. This includes:

• Employees on secondment or Interchange Canada assignment into ESDC;
• Casual employees who have an employment relationship with ESDC in accordance with the Public Service Employment Act; and

Political staff and contractors hired through procurement contracts are not required to complete ESDC mandatory training.

Students and casual workers also need to complete mandatory training because they have an employment relationship with the Department.

Reference: ESDC's Mandatory Training Guidelines (PDF, 828 KB)

Answer: Once logged into Saba, the mandatory curriculum has been assigned to your account and can be found on the MY LEARNING portal on Saba’s Main page or on the new Workspaces page in Saba. All you will need to do is select Register, followed by Complete registration and start your training!

Answer: Yes. There are new courses that have been added to the curriculum, which you will need to successfully complete:

1. Occupational Health and Safety – Overview of Hazard Prevention – For Employees (Duration: 0.5 hrs);
2. Indigenous Awareness Training – We are currently in the third year of our 3-year commitment to ensure that all Employees complete at least one Indigenous Awareness learning activity for the upcoming fiscal year. (Duration: 2.0 hrs); and
3. Stewardship of Information and Workplace Behaviour – Although the recertification process has been postponed to a later date, a revised version of the course and test will be launched during fiscal year 2020–2021.

Note: Courses in the curriculum that have not been completed will appear as In Progress in your Saba profile.