Aquaculture Technician Diploma

Gain the skills, experience, and confidence you need to become a professional in the aquaculture industry.

Program Description

Farmed salmon is BC’s largest agricultural export, with annual production volumes of 92,000 tonnes – valued at more than $800 million. The industry directly employs more than 7,000 people in BC’s coastal communities and is expected to expand significantly in the next ten years, to eventually support more than 12,000 full-time jobs directly and indirectly.

This program provides the training and industry certifications you need to become an integral part of the growing aquaculture industry and work in BC’s coastal wilderness!

This program has been approved by the Private Training Institutions Regulatory Unit (PTIRU) of the Ministry of Post-Secondary Education and Future Skills.

About the Program

For additional program details, complete the online application form or contact us.

  • Students are required to be 19 years of age prior to the start of the program or possess a high school diploma (or equivalent), and provide evidence of one of the following English proficiency requirements:

    • Completion of grades 9-11, including English 10 with a grade of ‘C’ or higher from a country where English is one of the principal languages, or

    • Completion of 2 years of full-time post-secondary education at an accredited institution where English is the language of instruction, or

    • Evidence of graduation from a language program with an established pathway/articulation agreement allowing direct entry (no further testing required) to a diploma or degree program at a public institution in Canada, or

    • Provide verified results for one of the English language proficiency tests listed below. Test results must be dated no more than two years before the start date of the program:

    • International English Language Testing System (IELTS) Academic - Minimum overall score of 5.5

    • Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) IBT - Minimum overall score of 46

    • Canadian Academic English Language Assessment (CAEL) - Minimum overall score of 40

    • Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program (CELPIP)

    • Listening 6, Speaking 6, Reading 5, and Writing 5

    • Duolingo English Test (DET) - Minimum overall score of 95

    • Pearson Test of English (PTE) Academic - Minimum overall score of 43

    • Cambridge English Qualifications: B2 First exam (FCE) - Minimum overall score of 160 or "C"

    • Cambridge Linguaskill - Minimum overall B2 level

    • LANGUAGECERT Academic - Minimum overall B2 level

    • The Michigan English Test (MET) - Minimum overall B2 level

    • iTEP Academic - Minimum overall score of 3.5

    • EIKEN - Minimum placement of Grade Pre-1

  • Domestic Pricing:
    Tuition: $11,500.00
    Student Application Fee: $250.00
    Textbooks: $960.74
    Other Fees (Industry Certifications): $2,206.25
    Total: $14,916.99

    International Pricing:
    Tuition: $18,500.00
    Student Application Fee: $500.00
    Administrative Fee: $200.00
    Textbooks: $960.74
    Other Fees (Industry Certifications): $2,206.25

    Please review our Refund Policy.

  • Types of employment for this program include working as an Aquaculture Technician in fish farms, fishing guiding operations, hatcheries, stream restoration projects, processing plants, fisheries observation companies, shellfish cultivating companies, and harvesting companies.

    Employment in aquaculture operations sometimes requires living in camp situations, and may include operating boats in marine operations.

    NOC CODE: 8613 - Aquaculture and marine harvest labourers

  • 500 hours (25 weeks) of synchronous training, including in- class and combined training, 80 hours of in-class industry certifications, and 40 hours of practicum placement.

Looking for more information?

Our team is happy to help you gather more information, discuss funding options, or apply. Fill out our online application form or contact us to discuss the next steps.