Caretakers Certification Course

By Laurie Socha, Committee Chair

Eileen Ewanchuk of Ewanchuk and Associates and I have worked the past six to eight months putting together an outline of courses we felt would be essential to provide the caretaker training PPMA required. Eileen interviewed several caretakers in our industry, some new to their jobs and others with several years experience. She then came up with an outline which we took to the membership in February of 2006. We then approached several colleges to provide us proposals on running the course for our Association. 

A sub-committee was sought to review the proposals and then provide recommendations to the Board of Directors. The committee members are: Avrom Charach, Eileen Ewanchuk, Jeff Itzkow, Robert Simpson, Shirley Tillett, Wally Ruban and Laurie Socha. We met several times over the past few months and finalized an outline with RRC we feel will fit the requirements we identified. 

More detail will follow, but the Board has approved the proposal provided by Red River College. Their will be six – eight hour courses. Courses to begin in September 2006 and run until spring 2007. Specifications on the Certification will be further worked on by the sub-committee. It is the intention of PPMA to have credit courses offered in addition to the six standard courses through RRC. This will be done during the Suite Living conference and other education courses throughout the year. 

We are excited about the launching of this new course. Watch for more information to come in the next several months. We hope that the membership will support this program as it has been designed from feedback by the PPMA membership. The success of this program depends on all of us.

PROFESSIONAL APARTMENT CARETAKER PROGRAM OUTLINE

PURPOSE: 
Red River College (RRC) is offering this program in partnership with the Professional Property Managers Association. The purpose of the program is to train apartment caretakers in the areas of property management, tenant and caretaker relations, customer service, the Residential Tenancies Act, safety and due diligence, fire prevention and emergency response. The program is designed to train both experienced caretakers and for individuals wishing to gain entry into this area of employment. 

PROGRAM: 
This 64-hour program will be delivered through consultation with industry representatives. The purpose of this program is to enhance the level of professionalism within the industry. With one exception as noted, all of the following are 8-hour modules which comprise the proposed curriculum.

ENTRANCE REQUIREMENTS: 
Senior 4 (Grade 12) is recommended. However, special admission applicants, those who are over 18 years of age, may have skills and knowledge acquired through a combination of formal education, informal education, and/or work experience that is considered to be equivalent to entrance requirements. Such applicants are also eligible to take this program. 

CERTIFICATE:
When you have completed all the required seminars, be sure to apply for your certificate. Call 694-1789. This is a joint certificate with Red River College and the Professional Property Managers Association. 

PROGRAM OUTLINE 

Customer Service in Property Management (8 hrs) 
A major part of this seminar is aimed at serving and keeping tenants. Areas that will be covered are: art of listening, attitudes and your job, tenant feedback, conflict resolution, developing rapport, establishing tenant rapport, handling complaints, making a favorable impression, motivation, PMA (positive mental attitude), and self assessment. 

Tenant-Caretaker Communications (8 hrs)

 • Communication Process 
• Developing Better Listening Skills 
• Improving Nonverbal & Verbal Communication 
• Routine memos & E-mails 
• Routine Letter 
• Informal Reports 

Building and Grounds, Minor Maintenance and Repair (8 hrs) 
• Basic Cleaning Techniques 
• Advanced Cleaning Techniques 
• Basic Building Maintenance 

Safety, Responsibility and Diligence and WHMIS (8 hrs) 

This seminar will address the subject of "Safety and Due Diligence". Examine the behaviors that may lead to complacency in the workplace which can endanger the safety of personnel. It emphasizes the responsibility of supervisory and management personnel and potential legal issues. Topics include: accountability, causes of accidents, hazard recognition and accident prevention, and the development of a safety audit and checklist.

Participants will also receive an introduction to governing legislation and requirements of W.H.M.I.S. in the workplace. Gain knowledge of appropriate labeling, MSDS’s and compliance. 

Fire Prevention, Emergency Response and Safety (8 hrs) 

The Fire Prevention Branch of the Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service will train the professional caretaker to prepare effective and properly documented fire safety plans. These plans contain measures to control fire hazards in a building, ensure a safe and orderly evacuation of a building in case of fire and assure effective utilization of fire protection systems and equipment in a building. 

Understand and Apply the Residential Tenancies Act (8 hrs) 
Topics covered include the Residential Tenancies Act, the Residential Tenancies Branch and what it does, types of residential properties, why people rent, duties and responsibilities of a property manager, contract law, leases and residential tenancy agreements and tenant selection.

Non-Violent Crisis Management (16 hours)
This course is designed to help human service workers provide the best possible care for assaultive, disruptive, or out-of-control persons during a violent moment. In this workshop, you will learn techniques that have proven effective in resolving potentially violent crises time and time again. The techniques you learn will help you prevent violence and safely intervene when disruptive behavior is exhibited by others. 

Watch for details in September!  

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