Having previously been the Senior HAZMAT cleanup instructor for the RCN there is some direction I can dig up on WHMIS 2015 when I get back to my desk tomorrow.
However, going from memory, there was a rollout cycle based on a 2 year set of periods. 2 years for this, 2 years for that, and by 2019, everything was to be in place and all legacy items would be up to date by that time. Or so the theory went.
I had a very simple policy when units came out for HAZMAT Team Training. They had to be 100% complete the WHMIS 2015 online module for all personnel attending. Proof was simple...Monitor Mass Query for the MITE code associated, run against the crew list that were attending.
In my current job, I'm more concerned with things such as CTAT training. Y'know, the Mandatory CTAT training (also through DLN) that every member of the CAF who comes in contact with CTAT equipment must have completed prior to 01 Jan 2013? Yeah....I had a unit where I did an inspection last year that had 76/240 people who hadn't done the course. Including CO/XO/COX'N. That was....a finding....in the report.
So.
We have folks that haven't done mandatory training that's 5 years past due, and now we've got folks that are not doing mandatory training that's a few weeks past due (I think 01 Jan 18 was a deadline for some of it...I'll have to check at work again.)
Which should have greater priority?
Unit Training?
Mandatory online courses? (CTAT, WHMIS, etc)
Mandatory briefings? (OPERATION HONOUR)
For the limited number of training days that troops have, particularly Reserve units, what is the answer?
For me in the training world, I'd send the ship a letter a month prior to the course through the School Cmdt with the expectations clearly laid out....and I'd RTU anyone who didn't have the MITE code. (I also sent an e-copy of the letter to the Departmental Chief so that he could get a head-start on it.)
I wanted to train, but I also had standards that had to be held. There was a balance...
How the PRes troops find that balance is a very interesting challenge.