POSA Update
November, 2010
The Parks and Open Space Alliance (POSA) continues to move forward strengthening parks and open space practitioners through professional development, recognition and advocacy.
The Alliance offered two different events over recent months that focused on meeting practitioner training needs. The first was the 4th Annual Summer Operational Forum offered June 23, 2010 in the City of Cambridge with a theme focused on “Accessibility in Ontario's Parks and Open Spaces”. Most recently, an "Introduction to Synthetic Turf and Maintenance" training session was held October 28 and 29 at the Hershey Sports Zone, Mississauga. The workshop covered every aspect of synthetic turf from planning and budgeting to bid proposal preparation and evaluation, to construction, installation and maintenance considerations.
In both of these events, delegates may wish to apply the educational credits received towards either the Parks and Open Space Professional Training Program - Level I or Level II certificate. To complete this program, a practitioner must successfully complete the following three courses: Parks Maintenance and Operations; Parks and Landscaping Equipment Safety Operation; and Sports Turf Management and Maintenance. In addition, the practitioner must have a minimum Grade 12 education; be a member in good standing of the OPA, the ORFA or the STA; maintain current WHMIS and Standard First Aid training; and have a minimum of 24 months practical work experience in the parks and open space industry. The application of other training credits will apply towards meeting Level II certificate criteria.
Please visit http://www.posalliance.ca/documents/POSATRAININGLEVEL1and2.pdf for more information. Alternatively, partner websites may be viewed as a source of other education and professional development opportunities.
© 2010 PARKS AND OPEN SPACE ALLIANCE ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. 
CONTACT THE ORFA | CONTACT THE OPA | CONTACT THE STA