Aquaculture Technician Diploma Program

Upon successful completion of this program, students will be able to:
• Demonstrate basic computer skills for communications and reporting purposes on the job
• Perform daily operations of hatchery work including farm work
• Identify and recognize safety protocol and standard operating procedures within the industry
• Operate equipment with industry certifications

• Work in fish farms, fishing guiding operations, hatcheries, stream restoration, processing plants, fisheries observation, shellfish cultivating and harvesting
• Feeding aquaculture stocks, vaccinating stocks, performing culling and marking or branding techniques and ensuring the healthy growth of stocks
• Water sampling and testing
• Record keeping on water flow and stock samples
• Grading and weighing stocks
• Preparing stocks for market
• Operating boats in marine operations
• Operation and maintenance of pumps, filters, tanks and other aquaculture equipment and enclosures

Employment in aquaculture operations often requires living in camp situations.

• Excellent employment rate for graduates
• Competitive salary & benefits within the industry
• Extensive opportunities for outdoor work on Vancouver Island’s coastal wilderness
• Farmed salmon is BC’s largest agricultural export crop
• BC produces 75,000 metric tonnes annually, valued over $300 million
• Shellfish operations product 9,000+ tonnes annually, valued at nearly $20 million
• BC’s aquaculture industry is expected to expand significantly in the next ten years

View detailed labour market information here: Work BC

Some of our graduates’ employers include:

• Grieg Seafood
• AKVA Group North America
• Cermaq Canada
• Mowi Canada West
• Fanny Bay Oysters
• Mac’s Oysters
• Creative Salmon
• BC Ferries
• Robertson Creek Hatchery
• Department of Fisheries & Oceans

The Aquaculture Technician Program is 25 weeks (approximately 520 hours) total including:

• 400 hours of classroom training
• 80 hours of Industry Certifications
• 40 hours of non-camp practicum placement or 80 hours of camp practicum placement.

Computer Modules

• Introduction to Technology and Keyboarding
• Microsoft Office Word Foundations & Intermediate
• Microsoft Office Excel Foundations & Intermediate
• Microsoft Office Outlook

Aquaculture Technician Skills

• Introduction to Aquaculture
• Shellfish Aquaculture
• Biology of Salmonids
• Health and Husbandry
• Feeding and Nutrition
• Farm Operation and Maintenance
• Hatchery Operation and Maintenance

Job Search Skills

• Resumes, cover letters, interviews
  • Networking with employers
  • Aquaculture-specific HR issues
  • Camp Life and Team Dynamics

Certification Courses and Equipment

• Forklift Operator’s Certificate
• Marine Basic First Aid
• Small Non-Pleasure Domestic Vessel Basic Safety (Formerly known as SVOP)
• Marine Emergency Duties A# (Med-A3)
• Restricted Operator’s Certificate – Maritime (Radio)
• Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS)
• Confined Space Awareness (CSA)
• Transportation of Dangerous Goods Certification (TDG

Practicum – Minimum of 40 hours when not in a camp setting. One to Two complete shifts are required for camp settings, as requested by the practicum hosts.

• A minimum 40 hour practicum component occurs near the end of the program
• Students work as employees, putting their training into practice gaining valuable experience
• Rubber boots and rain gear may be required for the practicum
• Practicum placements that take place in a camp situation are a minimum of 1 shift so will exceed the minimum 40 hours.

• Confirmation of mature student status (19 years or older on first day, and out of school for 1 full year) OR if under 19, evidence of Grade 12 completion or equivalent
• Entrance assessment
• Applicants whose first language is not English must meet Excel’s English Language Proficiency Requirements
• Successful completion of a physical fitness assessment (at an approved facility or medical clinic)

• Students are assessed on each module by a test, project, assignment, demonstration of skills or combination there-of
• Assessments includes evaluation on professionalism, conduct, attendance, and practicum
• An average of all module grades, as well as the grades for professional conduct and attendance is calculated. Successful completion of the program requires a minimum of a 65% grade in each program module, and successful completion of the practicum component.

Students Supply:

• Loose-leaf paper & 3-ring binder
• USB Flash Drive, if desired
• Pens/pencils/highlighters
• Weather appropriate clothing and boots for field trips and practicum placements

College Supplies:

• Handouts & photocopied materials
• Student Manuals
• Equipment for dissection and hands-on training components

Aquaculture Diploma Program Fees

Domestic 
Tuition: $9,406.25
Registration: 100.00
Books/Materials: 960.74
GST on Books/Supplies: 48.04
Total: $10,515.03

International:
Tuition: $11,757.81
Registration: 200.00
Books/Materials: 960.74
GST on Books/Supplies: 48.04
Total: $12,966.59

Please review our Refund Policy.