Where Are You In Your Continual Learning Journey?

Daniel Hopwood, MPH, CSP, SMP, CPCU, ARM, FASSP
2026 BCSP Board President

It is ‘safe’ to say that safety professionals are natural learners. For most of us, that implies a life-long continuation of that process — our world is not static, and neither should our ongoing education and training be.

Whether we honed our learning skills while becoming adept at a trade or craft or while moving through an academic program, the best of us recognize the value of continual learning. That process brings with it many benefits, a few challenges, and possibly some occasional frightening moments, such as when we invest in learning activities to improve our public speaking skills! 

As safety professionals, we are leaders and have a responsibility to model behaviors that others — subordinates or otherwise — should mirror.

Noted leadership scholar and author Peter Northouse defines leadership as “a process whereby an individual influences a group to achieve a common goal.” When we demonstrate our commitment to continual learning, our team and new entrants to the field will follow — we are leading them to the common goal of being the best they can be. 

Today, we are called to learn more about technology (A.I., anyone?), the shifting landscape relative to hazards and hazard control, the regulatory environment, business, globalization, and more.

With the speed of change and rapid alterations in technology, it is essential we encourage continual learning as a way of thinking and conducting business. When you think about it, the process of becoming and staying certified is a tremendous example of continual learning — and a distinguishing characteristic that makes BCSP’s globally accredited certifications stand out.

Does BCSP assist in the learning mission of the safety professional? You bet we do! Here are just a few of the ways: 

• If you are preparing for a certification exam, or encouraging others to do so, BCSP’s examCORE is a wonderful place to start, with exam prep content developed by subject matter experts.*

• The Global Learning Summit, coming up May 5-7, 2026, is a three-day, virtual event held every other year that provides us all with access to more than 100 hours of learning sessions presented by leaders in the field on a wide array of safety topics. (You can also earn recertification points for session attendance.)

• Speaking of recertification points, recertPRO is a unique professional development platform that allows you to choose your topics and earn points for completing learning modules.

• Our SHIFT journal highlights groundbreaking, peer-reviewed research and research-to-practice insights. It is free to read, and many of the authors and researchers present sessions at BCSP’s biennial Research & Innovation Summit, leading the way in shaping the future of safety practice.

• The HUB, another free resource, is an ever-growing digital resource library, offering content for all roles and career stages to help you build your knowledge and advance your career.

Combined, these offerings and others like them provide a broad and meaningful addition to anyone’s learning pursuits.

Back to the question — as a safety professional, where are you as a continual learner? Are you one? If so, great — carry on and be a role model for others. Are you behind the curve a bit? There’s always time to get back in the groove if that is the case. 

Capitalize on the BCSP resources mentioned above, plus free offerings like: Mentor Connect, webinars, podcasts, and exam development panel opportunities. Dive into newly published texts, society newsletters and journals, classes, seminars, or conferences. The learning opportunities are endless. Even if budgets are tight, affordable, online learning like the GLS is available. 

The water is warm in the learning pool — jump back in! Your learning journey is important to you and others. As a safety professional, you will find the journey is meaningful, enjoyable, and helps us all be the best we can be.

*To ensure impartiality, BCSP utilizes subject-matter experts for the development of the examCORE program and products who are independent from the certification examination development process.