CMDS validator package#

Created and reviewed by the CMDS team - https://www.keyeracmds.com/

Last revised: September 2026

About CMDS validators#

A CMDS validator is a certified subject-matter expert who reviews, verifies, and approves worker competency self-assessments in Keyera's Competency Management and Development System (CMDS).

Validator responsibilities#

Verify competence. Confirm workers have the knowledge and practical skills to perform tasks independently.
Review self-assessments. Agree or disagree with a worker's self-evaluations, and document the rationale or supporting evidence.
Apply standards. Use approved validation methods and follow the system's ethical guidelines.

Validator training and certification#

The validator course is one day of online training, delivered through Microsoft Teams. To take it, you need:

Supervisor or leadership approval
Relevant subject-matter expertise
Extensive experience with the equipment and processes being evaluated
A commitment to unbiased assessments and to Keyera's safety and operational standards

You must also finish your own self-assessments before you attend.

Registering for validator training#

To register, email admin_cmds@keyera.com and include:

Your department
Your supervisor's name
Your operations area

Reviewing a competency submission#

When a worker submits a competency for validation, you review their self-assessment and decide whether they can perform the task safely and independently.

Open the validation request.
Review the worker's self-assessment.
Consider their demonstrated knowledge, their practical ability, your previous observations, and the training and certifications the competency requires.
Decide whether the self-assessment accurately reflects the worker's competency.

If you agree#

Validate the worker as competent, and record the reason for your decision.

If you disagree#

Record why. CMDS sets the competency to "Needs Training".
Meet with the worker to discuss the competency.
Decide the next steps: additional training, coaching, or an updated self-assessment.

Document and follow up#

Validation is more than clicking "Approve". Provide supporting comments, and make sure the worker receives any development they need.

Write meaningful comments.
Confirm that required training is completed where it is needed.
Validate only competencies that you are qualified to validate.

Logging into CMDS#

Go to https://www.keyeracmds.com/ and click "Sign In" (top right corner).

Enter your email address and password.

Click "Login with Email".

NOTE:

You must use the email address that matches the one used in CMDS.
If this is your first time signing in, or you have a password reset, your password will be cmds246.
You will be required to change your password. Your new password must be at least 12 characters long and include uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols.
If you forget your password, click "Forgot your password?".
If you are having difficulties logging in, contact admin_cmds@keyera.com.

Home page - from top to bottom#

CMDS logo: click it to return home at any time.
System
- Reports: brings you to a list to access and run all CMDS reports.
- Tools: brings you to a list of the CMDS tools available to you.
- People: search for users in CMDS.
- Organizations: your organization and its departments.
My Development
- Profiles: lists the profiles assigned to your account.
- Request Validation: lists the competencies for which you have assessed your skill and are ready to submit to your validator.
- Self-Assessments: lists the critical and non-critical competencies assigned to you.
Management
- Achievements, Competencies, Profiles, Programs, and Validations: the libraries you manage for your organization.
Which items you see depends on your role. Your training plan is not in the side menu; open it with the Training Plan shortcut button.

Shortcut buttons#

A row of shortcut buttons at the top of your home page gives you quick access to the most commonly used tools in CMDS: eLearning, Training Plan, and Education & Training, plus Orientations if your account has orientation access. Your organization may also add buttons for its own catalogues.

Home page box#

3 tabs are available - Dashboard, Profiles, and Contacts.
Users can view the information under each tab by clicking on the tab name (e.g., Profiles).
The "Profiles" tab lists your primary profile, your secondary profiles required for compliance, and your other profiles not required for compliance.
The 'Contacts' tab contains a list of your manager(s), supervisor(s), and validator(s). If you are a manager, supervisor, and/or validator, you will also see a list of the individuals you manage, supervise, and/or validate.
- If you are a Manager and have people assigned to you, you will see them listed under "Workers".
- Managers can click on the speedometer icon next to the user's name and be directed to the user's dashboard to see where the user currently stands in their training.
- If you are a Validator, you will see the people assigned to you listed under "Learners".
The 'Contacts' tab also shows your roles under 'My Roles', your organization's invoicing contacts, and your sign-in history under 'My Login History'.

Profile(s) required for compliance box#

Click "Dashboard".
Use the dropdown to toggle between "Primary profile only" and "All profiles requiring compliance".
When "Primary profile only" is selected, the name of your primary profile will display, and the competency totals in the 'Compliance Summary' will reflect your primary profile only.
When "All profiles requiring compliance" is selected, the competency totals in the 'Compliance Summary' will reflect all profiles requiring compliance.
The 'Compliance Summary' breaks down each compliance category, showing your percent complete in each area. To view the assigned items, click on the coloured text to the right (e.g., 1 out of 3 completed).
The 'Learning Summary' box shows any additional training that you have been assigned. To view the assigned items, click on the coloured text to the right (e.g., 3 out of 4 completed).

Competency summary box#

Shows a bar graph breakdown of your Profile(s).
Click on the status (e.g., Expired) to access the competencies.
To view a bar graph on your secondary profile(s), select the profile from the dropdown.

Definitions#

Primary Profile (Required for Compliance): The job profile that best matches the job you are performing the majority of the time.
Secondary Profiles (Required for Compliance): Job profiles that contain a mandatory skill set for supporting or additional functions required for your job.
Secondary Profiles (Not Required for Compliance): Job profiles not required to safely and effectively complete your current job role (often roles you are training in).

Learning portal#

Contains up to 4 sections - Upcoming Training Sessions, College Certificates, Competencies, and Achievements. A section appears only when it applies to you: Upcoming Training Sessions, for example, is hidden when there are no sessions. If you are enrolled in a program, a My Programs section also appears.
Below it, a Progress section shows your progress as circular charts.
Each section contains various tools designed to assist validators in performing their responsibilities efficiently and effectively.

Self-assessment guide#

There are a variety of ways to access your competencies to perform your self-assessments.

Method #1: using your learning portal#

From your home page, scroll down to your 'Learning Portal'.
Listed under 'Competencies', click "Begin Self-Assessment" or "View My Self-Assessments".
"Begin Self-Assessment" will bring you to the next competency waiting to be self-assessed.
Once you click "View My Self-Assessments" click on the competency number for which you would like to self-assess.
- NOTE: you can use the Criteria tab to locate a specific competency, category, or priority.

Method #2: from your profile(s)#

From your home page, click the "Profiles" tab.
Click on the Profile name that you would like to self-assess on.
Click on the competency number for which you would like to self-assess.
- NOTE: you can use the Criteria tab to locate a specific competency, category, or priority.

The side menu is available from any page in CMDS, except when completing an e-learning module.
Click "Self-Assessments" under 'My Development' on the side menu.
Click on the competency number for which you would like to self-assess.
- NOTE: you can use the Criteria tab to locate a specific competency, category, or priority.

Method #4: using your competency summary bar graph#

From the 'Dashboard' tab on your homepage, scroll down to see your "Competency Summary".
Click Not Completed in the Competency Summary bar graph.
To access your expired competencies in your primary profile, click Expired in your 'Competency Summary' bar graph.
To generate a bar graph on any of your secondary profiles, use the dropdown under 'Secondary Profile'.

Completing your self-assessment#

Using any of the above methods, once you are viewing the competency for which you would like to self-assess on, review attached 'Achievements and Downloads', if required, review the 'Knowledge and Skills', then complete your "Self-Assessment".
Click "NEXT" to be taken to the next competency. This saves your response. You do not have to click "Submit for Validation" after every self-assessment.
Once you have completed several self-assessments, and are ready to notify your validator, click "Submit for Validation".
- This sends an email notification to your validator informing them that you are ready to be checked out on your submissions. NOTE: For competencies which have been self-assessed, but not submitted, no notifications are sent to your validator.

Locating specific competencies for validation#

When using any of the above methods, you can isolate a specific competency number, search for key words, isolate critical competencies, and/or search for expired competencies.
Open the Criteria tab.
Using the dropdowns and search boxes, enter the applicable information and click "Search".

Submitting your competencies for validation#

Once you have completed a number of self-assessments, and would like to notify your validator that you are ready to be validated on your self-assessments:

From your home page, scroll down to your "Learning Portal".
Under 'Competencies', click "Request Competency Validation".
You will see a list of all your self-assessed competencies that are ready for validation. Click "Submit for Validation". This will send an email to your assigned validator informing them that you are ready to be validated on the competencies listed.
- NOTE: Your validator will only be able to validate you if they themselves are validated in that competency.
- You can verify who your assigned validator(s) are by going to your home page, clicking on the "Contacts" tab, and looking for your listed Validator(s). If no one is listed, contact your manager, administrator, or account manager.

Reviewing and signing off on items in your training plan#

If you have been assigned a document for review, an eLearning module for completion, or a safety certificate that is required, you will see this reflected on your dashboard.

Option #1#

To view what you have been assigned for completion, click the "Training Plan" shortcut button at the top of your home page.
Display will default to show ONLY items NOT COMPLETE.
- To see BOTH complete and incomplete training, switch the toggle next to "the completed achievements in my training plan" from Hide to Show.
Click on the name of the achievement you are looking to complete.
Review the attachments under "Downloads/Resources" and click "Sign Off". Confirm when CMDS asks "Are you sure you want to sign off on this training?"

Option #2#

To view what you have been assigned, click the "Education & Training" shortcut button at the top of your home page.
- NOTE: Everything you are assigned, regardless of if it is or isn't in your training plan, can be found here. If you are working on completing required training, please use Option #1 to find your required training.
Based on the flags, you can tell what education you have completed and what is waiting to be completed.
- A green flag means that the training is completed and valid.
- A red flag means that the training is pending or expired.
Click on the name of the achievement you are looking to complete.
Review the attachments under "Downloads/Resources" and click "Sign Off". Confirm when CMDS asks "Are you sure you want to sign off on this training?"

For codes of practice, safe operating practices, additional compliance requirements, site-specific documents, and training guides#

To view what you have been assigned for completion, click the "Training Plan" shortcut button OR the "Education & Training" shortcut button at the top of your home page.
For any of the categories listed above, you are required to READ/REVIEW and SIGN OFF that you understand the content.
Click on the document you would like to sign off on.
Open the document(s) under "Downloads/Resources" and read/review the content.
Click "Sign Off".
This will remove the achievement from your training plan and show it as complete.

For assigned eLearning#

To view what you have been assigned for completion, click the "Training Plan" shortcut button OR the "Education & Training" shortcut button at the top of your home page.
Click on the eLearning module title to open/complete the module.
- You must complete the associated quiz with a grade of 90% or higher.

For time-sensitive safety certificates#

Your organization may choose to track your required safety tickets in CMDS.
If your required / assigned TSSC is expired or not complete it will show in your 'Training Plan'.
You cannot remove this achievement or mark it as complete. You must contact your local administrator and show proof of completion. Your administrator will then update your completion status.

Further information#

Clock icons mean there is a time clock on that achievement. Once you sign off on that achievement, it will expire at a set interval from the sign off date (e.g., 1 year), at that time you will have to re-review the achievement.
Red flags mean you have not yet signed off on or completed that achievement.
Green flags mean you have completed reviewing the achievement and signed off.

eLearning user guide#

Click the "eLearning" shortcut button at the top of your home page.
You will see a list of the available modules - modules are displayed alphabetically.
- You can also search by category by expanding the 'Catalogue' name and clicking on the name of the category you are looking for.
To access a module, click the title and register for the course by clicking "Start".
The module will then display.
- NOTE: Modules can contain multiple lessons and multiple quizzes.
Review the lesson content and take the quiz by clicking "Start Quiz".
- NOTE: Quizzes contain at least 5 questions and a grade of 90% or higher is required to pass.
Complete the quiz, answering every question, and click "Complete".
You will get a confirmation message asking you to confirm your submittal. Click "Confirm".
Your quiz results are then displayed. You are given the option to attempt the quiz again by clicking "retry this assessment".
- You will not be given the same quiz twice.
- Generally, you are allowed 3 attempts, and then the system will lock you out of the quiz for 24 hours.
Viewing the quiz counts as an attempt.
A passing mark will generate a certificate for your records. If you would like a copy of the certificate, you can find it on the left-hand side under the Module name at any time.
When viewing the quiz, to return to the module, click "Return to Course Outline".
To return to the list of available modules, click the company logo in the top left corner.
From the list of available eLearning modules, you can search for a specific module using the "Search catalogue" bar.
Type in a keyword related to your search and click the magnifying glass.
Once you have searched for something you MUST clear your search criteria to obtain the full list of available modules again. You can do this by clicking the "X" next to the 'Search catalogue' bar.

Please note#

If a module contains multiple lessons, with more than one quiz, an average grade of 90%+ must be achieved to pass.
CMDS records your most recent grade, not necessarily your highest mark.
Modules are organized by category; the same module may appear in more than one category.
For a record of completed eLearning, see your "Education & Training" in CMDS.
There is NO FEE per module and users can "register" for as many modules as they would like.
You do not have to attempt the quiz.
We have done our best to make all videos and images viewable to all users. If a file is not loading, please try accessing the eLearning on an alternate browser.
- We encourage the use of these browsers with CMDS:
  - Microsoft Edge
  - Google Chrome
  - Firefox

Validating#

There are a variety of ways to access user validations and validating users/competencies.

From your home page#

Scroll down to your 'Learning Portal' and, under 'Competencies', click "Validate Competencies", or click "Validations" under 'Management' in the side menu.
You will see a list of the individuals for who you are the validator and who have submitted competencies for validation.
- NOTE: If someone is missing from this list, they may not have submitted their competencies for validation OR you may not be validated in the competencies that they have submitted.
- To confirm who your 'Learners' are (individuals for which you are the validator), from your home page, click the 'Contacts' tab and you will see your 'Learners' listed.
Click on the individual's name that you would like to validate.
Click on the competency number you would like to validate them on.
Scroll down and indicate whether or not you agree with the person's self-assessment.
You will then have to give a reason for your validation. You can select a canned comment from the list or type your own, or both.
Click "Next" to move to the next competency submitted for validation.

Bulk validating#

Click "Tools" under 'System' in the side menu.
Under 'Bulk Update' click "Validate Competencies".
Use the 'Person' dropdown to find the person you would like to validate. To filter the list, start to type the first name of the person you are looking for until they display.
Use the 'Profile' dropdown to find the profile you would like to validate them in.
Use the radio buttons to select the 'Self-Assessment Status'.
You can then check the box next to the competencies you would like to apply the validation to, or "Select All".
Select "Yes" or "No" to indicate whether you agree with the self-assessments and give a reason for your validation.
- NOTE: This validation, including your comments, will be applied to all the competencies you have selected.
Click "Save".

Things to remember#

You can only validate competencies that you yourself are validated in.
Whenever you disagree with a person's self-assessment, whether they answered "Yes" or "Not Applicable", CMDS automatically assigns "Needs Training" to the competency.
During the validation, you are verifying that the person is competent, and their self-assessment is valid.
During the validation, you may want to check the individual's "Education & Training" to see if they have completed their assigned sign offs, eLearning, and are up-to-date on all their Safety Certificates.
- To view a person's "Education & Training", click "People" under 'System' in the side menu.
- Use the Criteria tab to search for the person.
- Click "Education" to the right of the person's name.

Validation screen layout:

Do you agree with the candidate's self assessment? - Yes / No buttons.
Under 'Validator Comments', add your reason by selecting from the canned comments or add your own comments in the free-text box.
Click "Next" to validate the next competency.

The canned validator comments are:

As a validator, I have personally tested the candidate with respect to the knowledge and the candidate demonstrated the skills components of this competency.
As a validator, I have personally tested the candidate with respect to the knowledge and the candidate simulated the skills components of this competency.
This candidate has adequate experience in this area and has been successfully completing this task.
This individual holds a leadership role and is being validated on this competency to enable the validation of their direct reports, with Subject Matter Expert support as required.
The candidate has previously been validated and is continuously using the competency.
I agree that this competency is not applicable for this person.
As a validator I have tested this person on their knowledge of this competency and another person (validated in this competency) has seen them perform this competency - _______ (name)
The candidate's certificate was obtained on _______ (date).
I disagree because the candidate needs training with the knowledge components of this competency.
I disagree because the candidate needs training with the skills of this competency.

REMINDER: You must enter a comment in order to finish your validation of this competency.

Applying for college certification#

View your eligibility#

Scroll down to your 'Learning Portal'.
Under 'College Certificates', click "View My Eligibility".
Available College Certificates are listed; if you are eligible to apply, green flags will be displayed.
- If you are not yet eligible, a red warning icon will show.
If nothing is displayed in the "View My Eligibility" screen, then it is possible your assigned profiles do not meet college requirements; contact your account manager to discuss further.

Applying for a certificate#

To apply for a certificate, click the radio button next to "Lakeland College", and then click "Send Request".
By clicking "Send Request", you automatically notify Keyera CMDS Administration, and the required paperwork will be emailed to you shortly. There is NO need for you to contact the college.
Once you receive the required paperwork, please FULLY complete the forms, and send them back to Keyera CMDS Administration. We will make sure your application is received by the college.

Assessing your qualifications#

If you do not currently qualify for the certificate that corresponds to your experience/area of expertise in, you can click "View missing competencies".
Competencies showing "Not Completed" can be completed by accessing your assigned profiles.
Competencies showing "Not Assigned" have not been assigned to you via any of your profiles. Please contact your account manager to discuss competency assignment.

Terms and definitions#

ACR - Additional Compliance Requirements; general compliance category, allows each organization to track and assign training requirements that may not fall into one of the existing categories.
CMDS - Competency Management and Development System.
CMDS blog - information sharing platform where news and updates are posted https://www.keyeracmds.com/tag/blog/.
COP - Code of Practice; generally segregated due to the Alberta OH&S Code requirement stating that organizations must have a code of practice for all listed harmful substances (e.g., Benzene and Asbestos).
Critical Competency - a competency that addresses a high-risk activity or subject. Generally, this competency is marked time sensitive and requires revalidation at a set interval (e.g., 1 year).
eLearning Modules - unique to CMDS, these modules provide users with additional information and short quizzes to test their understanding. Generally, completing an eLearning module is optional unless otherwise indicated by your organization / manager / validator.
HRD - Human Resource Document; a document that requires employee review and sign off (e.g., a corporate drug and alcohol policy).
Primary Profile - Required for Compliance; the job profile that best matches the job you are performing the majority of the time.
Secondary Profiles (Not Required for Compliance) - profiles not required to safely and effectively complete your current job role.
Secondary Profiles (Required for Compliance) - profiles that contain a mandatory skill set for supporting or additional functions required for your job.
SOP - Safe Operating Practice.
SSOP - Site-Specific Operating Procedure; generally, a document that describes the steps that must be followed to perform a task, typically the start-up, shut down, or maintenance of a piece of equipment or process.
TG - Training Guides.
TSSC - Time Sensitive Safety Certificates; certificates that are generally time sensitive in nature (e.g., First Aid and Ground Disturbance).

Additional information#

If you require help or have a question, you can:
- Contact your local admin
- Contact your account manager
- Email admin_cmds@keyera.com
To register for validator training, see Registering for validator training.
Check out the CMDS Blog for up-to-date CMDS information https://www.keyeracmds.com/tag/blog/. "SUBSCRIBE" to stay in the loop!