North Island College will receive $600,000 to develop an aquaculture diploma at the Campbell River campus, BC Minister of Jobs, Tourism and Skills Training Shirley Bond announced last week.
鈥淎grifood, including aquaculture, is an important contributor to the provincial economy and one of the key sectors in the BC Jobs Plan,鈥� said Bond. 鈥淭hat is why I am pleased we can respond to the request from employers for more advanced-level aquaculture training to support their industry growth. This aquaculture sector labour market partnership project with North Island College and seafood industry partners will help us meet critical sector labour needs.鈥�
The aquaculture technician training diploma will be one of B.C.鈥檚 first advanced-production training programs in the field.
The program was developed in co-operation with the BC Salmon Farmers and BC Shellfish Growers Association, who represent the majority of B.C.鈥檚 aquaculture producers. They have identified a need for more specialized staff as the range of species grown across the sector expands.
鈥淏.C.鈥檚 aquaculture industry is worth more than $1 billion to the B.C. economy, generates more than 5,000 jobs and has a very bright future,鈥� said Jeremy Dunn, of the BC Salmon Farmers Association. 鈥淒emand for B.C. farm-raised salmon has never been higher and this funding is crucial to allowing B.C. to meet the demand while hiring well-trained staff, providing specialized, species-specific training and sustaining the industry for years to come.鈥�
NIC has offered Level 1 aquaculture technician training since 2014, with the first class of Level 2 students expected to graduate in 2018.
The $600,000 will allow NIC to develop curriculum over three years for Level 3 and 4 aquaculture technician training at the Campbell River campus, with the eventual creation of an aquaculture technician diploma by 2019.
NIC instructor, Dr. Jesse Ronquillo, a multi-award winning aquaculture scientist, educator, researcher and extension worker in the aquaculture field, will develop the curriculum in collaboration with industry.
鈥淲e want to thank the BC Salmon Farmers and Shellfish Growers Associations,鈥� said Randall Heidt, NIC鈥檚 vice-president of strategic initiatives. 鈥淚t鈥檚 only fitting NIC will develop B.C.鈥檚 first production focused aquaculture diploma here on the North Island, with North Island students, employers and communities.
鈥淲e appreciate Minister Bond鈥檚 innovation in allowing us to access the labour market partnership funds. NIC is proud to be able to be one of B.C.鈥檚 first post-secondary institutions to receive funding from this program.鈥�
Funding for the program is provided by the Canada-BC Labour Market Development Agreement.
For more information, visit www.nic.bc.ca.
