Training Moves to OWL Brightspace

Western Human Resources Training is Moving in March 2026

Western is moving all safety training and professional learning managed by Western Human Resources (HR) from OWL Sakai to OWL Brightspace — Western’s modern, accessible, mobile-friendly learning platform.

The transition will take place Monday, March 23, 2026. As we approach launch, employees and leaders will receive additional communications, step-by-step guides, and resource materials.

Training managed by Western Human Resources will no longer be available in OWL Sakai starting Friday, March 20, 2026. Employees will be able to access training in OWL Brightspace beginning Monday, March 23, 2026.

Full details are below, and we have created a list of Frequently Asked Questions that you may also find helpful.

What’s Changing?

Several important updates will take effect:

  • Safety and professional development eLearning will be accessed in OWL Brightspace instead of the previous platform (OWL Sakai).
  • Mandatory training will now be automatically assigned in OWL Brightspace.
  • Some courses will require self-enrollment through My Human Resources, such as optional or role-specific training.
  • Recommended and mandatory training will be outlined in a Training Checklist, which employees can review with their supervisor/leader to determine what’s required.
    Important: Some safety training such as WHMIS expires. We encourage all employees to review their current training records in My Human Resources and prioritize any outstanding or expiring requirements.
  • Proof of course completion will continue to be available in My Human Resources → My Training Summary (PDF), with an enhanced format.

What Employees Need to Do by March 19, 2026 before the OWL Sakai Courses are Replaced

  1. Complete the Quiz (for in‑person workshop participants)
    If you are enrolled in an in‑person workshop, please ensure you complete the associated quiz if you have not done so yet. This step is required for your training completion to be accurately recorded in My Human Resources.
  2. Download all training materials from OWL Sakai
    Access to current OWL Sakai sites will end with the transition to OWL Brightspace. If you wish to keep any resources, guides, or presentation slides, please download them before March 19, 2026. After that date, materials will no longer be available.
  3. Complete eLearning training and Quiz (for self-paced, online courses)
    If you are enrolled in a self-paced, online course, please ensure you complete the learning module and associated quiz if you have not done so yet. This step is required for your training completion to be accurately recorded in My Human Resources. You will lose access to the OWL Sakai site after March 19 and will have to re-enroll in the course after Brightspace launches to access the training.

Support & Helpful Resources

Frequently Asked Questions

General Questions
Accessing Training
Required vs. Recommended Training

Expiration & Proof of Completion
Before March 19, 2026
Getting Help

General Questions

Why is training moving to OWL Brightspace?
Western is transitioning safety training and professional learning managed by Human Resources from OWL Sakai to OWL Brightspace to provide a more modern, accessible, and mobile-friendly learning experience. Access to OWL Sakai will be removed for the Western community on April 30, 2026.

When is the transition happening?
All Human Resources managed training will move to OWL Brightspace on Monday, March 23, 2026. As of March 20, employees will no longer have access to HR training on OWL Sakai.

What happens to the existing OWL Sakai sites?
Access to Western HR training in OWL Sakai will end after March 19. Employees must download any materials they wish to keep before this date. After the transition, OWL Sakai content will no longer be accessible.

Accessing Training

How will I access my training in OWL Brightspace?
Mandatory training will automatically appear in your OWL Brightspace account. Optional or role-specific courses can be accessed by self-enrolling through My Human Resources.

Will my current training records be transferred?
Yes. Your completed courses and training history will continue to be available in My Human Resources → My Training Summary—now with an enhanced format for easier reviewing and printing. This will replace certificates generated on OWL as they are no longer available.

What if I haven’t completed my course or quiz in OWL Sakai yet?
You must complete your course and quiz before March 19, 2026 to ensure your completion is recorded. If you don’t finish in time, you will need to re-enroll and restart the course once training launches in OWL Brightspace.

Required vs. Recommended Training

How do I know which training is required for my role?
Required and recommended courses are outlined in the Mandatory & Recommended Training Checklist. Employees should review the checklist with their supervisor/leader to determine what’s required.

Will mandatory training be assigned automatically?
Yes. Mandatory courses will now be automatically assigned directly in OWL Brightspace.

Do some courses require self-enrollment?
Yes, optional, developmental, and role-specific safety courses must be self-enrolled through My Human Resources.

Expiration & Proof of Completion

Does my safety training expire?
Yes, some safety training does expire, including WHMIS. Employees are encouraged to review their current training records in My Human Resources to identify upcoming expirations.

Where can I find proof of completion after the move to OWL Brightspace?
Completion records remain available under: My Human Resources → My Training Summary

The PDF has been updated with an improved design for easier viewing. This will replace certificates generated on OWL as they are no longer available.

Before March 19, 2026 

What do I need to do before the transition? 
Employees should complete three key tasks: 

  1. Complete outstanding quizzes for in-person workshops. 
  2. Download any course materials from OWL Sakai you want to keep. 
  3. Finish any online modules and quizzes that are in progress.

Why do I need to complete my Human Resources training before March 19?
After March 19, you will lose access to OWL Sakai training sites. Any incomplete courses will not carry over and must be restarted in OWL Brightspace. 

Getting Help 

Who can help if I’m unsure about training requirements?
For questions about which courses you need or help with enrollment, contact Western Human Resources at hr-training@uwo.ca.   

Where do I go for technical support with OWL Brightspace?
For login issues, course access problems, or navigation help, contact WTS OWL Brightspace Help. 

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