Aquaculture Technician Program

Computer Modules

• Intro to Technology and Keyboarding
• Microsoft Word
• Microsoft Excel
• Microsoft 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 First Aid w/CPR Level C & Transport
• Small Vessel Operator’s Proficiency (SVOP)
• Marine Emergency Duties A# (Med-A3)
• Restricted Radio Certificate – Maritime
• WHMIS
• Confined Space Awareness (CSA)
• Transportation of Dangerous Goods Certification (TDG

Practicum ( 2 Shifts or a minimum of 80 hours if not in a camp setting)

The Aquaculture Technician Program is 25 weeks (approximately 500 hours) total

• 23 weeks of classroom training and a 2 week practicum placement

Students Supply:

• Loose-leaf paper
• 3-ring binder
• Flash drive
• Pens/pencils/highlighters

College Supplies:

• Handouts & photocopied materials
• Student Manuals

• 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
• English-competency assessment may be required
• Meeting with an Admissions Advisor
• Successful completion of a physical fitness assessment (at an approved facility)

• 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
• Successful completion of the program requires a minimum of a 65% average grade and successful completion of the practicum componemt

• 2 shifts or a minimum of 80 hours if not in a camp setting
• Students work as employees, putting their training into practice and gaining invaluable experience
• Rubber boots and rain-gear may be required for the practicum
• Practicum placements may take place in a camp situation

• 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

Work BC