Saskatchewan Water Security Agency - Qualified Persons Course

This course will be delivered in a blended format, starting with self-paced online study on the user-friendly platform Brightspace, including an opportunity to join a virtual tutorial session with the instructor. Students must also complete one of the hands-on field training sessions.

Delivering some online theory and knowledge testing coupled with the hands-on training, will prepare Qualified Person (QP) students for their Capstone Drainage Project as the final portion of their accreditation.

The dates listed below represent the face-to-face field training portion of the course. The Self Study online portion will begin when registration occurs. Should the minimum field day participant number requirement not be met, participants can choose another field day to attend. PLEASE NOTE: This is an intense online course. Students will need to spend a considerable amount of time working through the content. 

Participants who successfully complete both the online and in-field training will be awarded WSA QP certification. Full QP Accreditation will be awarded by Water Security Agency upon the successful completion of the Capstone Drainage Project. If you have any questions, feel free to contact wsa.qpprogram@wsask.ca

There are 4 units in this course

The Qualified Persons Training course provides a comprehensive overview of the essential concepts and procedures behind working with landowners to complete a drainage application, leading you through the role of a qualified person (QP).

After completing this course, you’ll be able to:

• Examine the value and benefits of implementing responsible drainage practices

• Describe the basic concepts and procedures of completing a drainage application

• Use a mapping tool to complete drainage plans

• Learn how to communicate effectively with landowners

• Conduct adequate outlet assessments to mitigate water quantity impacts downstream

• Develop job-relevant skills

 

AgH2Onward

Unit 1: 4 hours to complete

In this unit we will give you a quick overview of drainage in Saskatchewan.

· Learn how to balance agricultural productivity with environmental stewardship and mitigate downstream flooding.

· Get to know the Water Security Agency’s (WSA) drainage approval process

· Explore responsible water management practices that support soil health, reduce inputs, and increase food production. Discover how a Qualified Person can assist landowners throughout the approval process

 

Introductory Concepts for Qualified Persons

Unit 2: 15 hours to complete

In this unit, you will review the role of a QP, exploring the responsibilities and skills required to navigate the complexities of completing a drainage application. You will then review the procedures you will need to follow to complete a drainage application, providing you with a solid understanding of the core concepts that drive successful project outcomes.

· The role of a QP in the drainage approval process

· Identify the drainage works a producer wants approved

· The impacts of drainage on water quantity, water quality, and habitat

· Map drainage features

· Determine which neighboring landowners to engage for land permissions, and how to help producers adapt their agricultural water management systems to be more resilient to extreme weather events such as droughts or floods

This unit also reviews components of the drainage application and approval process, how to complete an application, and many related topics in between.

 

The Art of Influential Communication

Unit 3: 2.5 hours to complete

The Art of Influential Communication unit includes three modules designed to help you:

· Communicate with influence to build trust and credibility

· Win negotiations through effective persuasion techniques

· Manage challenging conversations with confidence

· Resolve conflicts constructively to maintain positive relationships

 

Point of Adequate Outlet

Unit 4: 3 hours for asynchronous component and 12 hours for field day and driving time

The Point of Adequate Outlet (PAO) unit consists of six modules. In this unit, you will learn how to:

· Understand what constitutes an adequate outlet in the context of agricultural drainage

· Identify the criteria and standards that you need to use to determine if an outlet is adequate

· Incorporate best practices to ensure compliance and minimize downstream impacts

· In-person field day where survey and PAO assessment techniques are introduced and some botany skills are shared.