Fisheries Field Technician Certificate Program (FFTCP)
Overview | Agenda | Schedule | Registration | Objectives | Certification and Evaluation | Prerequisites | Personal Equipment Requirements | Course Fees | Course Schedule | Credit Options | Who enrols in the FFTCP? | Employment Opportunities | Program Completion Options | Testimonials | Arranging a Delivery in Your Community
For more information, download our FFTCP Flyer here!
Overview:
The FFTCP is a five-week fisheries field technician certification program offered by Vancouver Island University. The program is designed to address the province-wide need for certified, skilled fisheries field technicians.
The FFTCP is designed to be delivered directly within B.C. communities, utilizing local streams and regional watersheds as the "classroom".
The FFTCP will provide participants with in-demand skills and knowledge in salmonid biology, fisheries field techniques, as well as fish habitat inventory, assessment and restoration techniques.
Class vs Field:
Class: approximately 7 days Field: approximately 18 days (weather dependent)
Agenda:
The FFTCP is comprised of 10 course modules, delivered over a 5-week period, Monday to Friday. The daily delivery format is typically an 8-hour session, with approximately 8 classroom days and 17 field days. Classroom and field sessions typically run from 9am - 4:30pm and 9am - 5 or 6pm respectively. Longer field sessions are common when extensive travel to field sites is involved. Additionally, FFTCP staff is available for scheduled tutoring and assistance.
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| One |
Two |
Three |
Four |
Five |
| Soil Bioengineering Techniques FFTCP Review Day FFTCP Final |
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Registration:
Registration information is available here.
Objectives:
The FFTCP is designed to address the province-wide need for certified, skilled fisheries field technicians. This program is designed to provide relevant, in-demand training to individuals seeking to acquire or upgrade fisheries field skills. Graduates of this program may then become certified technicians, ideally suited for employment conducting the following types of fisheries work:
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Course Completion Options and Evaluation:
The FFTCP is a recognized, certificate program offered by Vancouver Island University.
Graduates of this program are eligible to be certified technicians, ideally suited for employment assisting experienced fisheries field technologists and/or fisheries biologists working throughout B.C
As a requirement for certification, participants will need to meet or exceed the following program standards.
- 90% attendance (22.5 of 25 days) for the program.
- 70% score on the program Knowledge Evaluations.
The FFTCP has two course completion options. Prospective course participants are required to complete an FFTCP Placement exam, which will "place" them in one of two course completion options:
Option #1: Certificate-level participant
With a score of 70% or higher on the Placement exam, participants will qualify to participate in the FFTCP as a certificate student . In order to successfully complete the FFTCP, this level of certification will require participants to complete the program Knowledge Evaluations (10 in total), numerous journal writing assignments, and attendance requirements.
Option #2: Completion level participant
A score of less than 70% on the Placement exam qualifies participants to complete the FFTCP as a 'completion student'. In order to successfully obtain a Letter of Course Completion, this level of participation will require participants to submit journal assignments and meet attendance requirements. Completion students may upgrade to certificate level status by acquiring experience in the field (minimum of 4 months employment in a fisheries-related position), and completing the Knowledge Evaluations for the program. For further information, please contact the NREP Manager
Prerequisites:
The FFTCP has no formal pre-requisites, but prospective participants are required to complete a Placement Assessment and have some experience working in an outdoor setting. WCB level I First Aid (1-day) and Transportation Endorsement (1-day) are co-requisites. These short 1-day courses are available from qualified first aid companies.
Personal Equipment Requirements:
Participants must supply their own personal field gear and clothing. Mandatory items include; leak-proof chestwaders (rubber, nylon, or neoprene) with non-slip footwear (e.g., felt or cleated soles), brimmed hat (e.g., baseball hat), wading belt and polarized sunglasses. It is strongly recommended that participants also acquire; a field cruiser's vest, rubber boots, rain gear, and work gloves (leather or nylon). Cost for the mandatory and recommended items will vary with supplier, locale, and quality of items, often ranging from $150-$500 and $150-$300 respectively. Participants are advised to contact sporting goods stores and specialty outfitters, such as flyfishing stores or outdoor equipment suppliers.
Vancouver Island University staff will provide all field and classroom-related supplies and equipment, including; course manuals, electrofisher unit(s) and accessories, dipnets, linesman gloves, biological sampling and fish inventory equipment, and associated field equipment.
Course Fees:
Course fees will vary by location. Please also refer to the Course Schedule or contact then NREP Manager for further information.
Program costs vary by location within the province. Traditional student loans are not available for this program. However, a number of potential funding sources are available throught Employment Equity programs and agencies.
Course Schedule:
Course schedule information is available here.
The FFTCP is frequently offered and delivered in towns and communities throughout North America. Interested groups or individuals should consult the FFTCP Course Schedule, or contact the NREP Manager to arrange a program delivery.
Credit Options:
Successful completion of the FFTCP will serve as credit towards completion a number of other NREP Certificate programs.
Who enrolls in the FFTCP?
This program is designed to provide high-quality skills training to adult learners, First Nations, and current field technicians wishing to update and expand their skills and abilities. Participants that commonly enroll in this program include; existing field technicians, resource workers, First Nations, individuals new to the industry, and graduates of other post-secondary fisheries programs.
Employment Opportunities:
Graduates of this program have found employment with a wide variety of employers, including; federal and provincial government agencies (e.g., DFO, provincial government), consultants (environmental, forestry, fisheries), First Nations organizations, stakeholder groups (e.g., Streamkeepers, watershed protection groups), and other non-government organizations. A number of program graduates have established successful self-employment roles, fulfilling contracts with a wide variety of agencies and organizations.
The format and content of the FFTCP is based largely on industry demands. The acquired field skills and knowledge from this program are currently in-demand in the fisheries field. The course has been reviewed, critiqued, and received input from an industry panel (government, private, First Nations, non-government agencies). Graduates are "job-ready", and frequently experience high employment rates. During the first three years of delivery, the FFTCP resulted in a 92%* employment rate for its graduates.
Further, graduates of this program are frequently made aware of fisheries employment opportunities in their respective locations. NREP staff are closely linked with industry and considered a leading supplier of industry personnel. We will eagerly assist you in identifying and securing employment or career-related goals! and we'll remain dedicated to assisting you with on-going support and advise with respect to employment and career advancement.
*includes full-time, part-time, seasonal, and term employment.
Program Completion Options:
Participants may complete the program to meet their own schedule and conveniences. Issues to consider may also include; course availability, timing, cost, and travel requirements.
Testimonials:
- "Excellent Instructor; patient, listens and answers students questions carefully and clearly, easy to get along with. Encouraging". - K.B., Lillooet, B.C.
- "Excellent balance between classroom and field work, also teacher's enthusiasm was infectious. [The instructor] is one of the best teachers I have ever encountered". - F.L., Prince George, B.C.
- " Good environment, great learning experience. [Instructor] is very helpful and patient. Very thorough, well taught" -K .M., Whitehorse, Yukon.
- "Great information about field skills. Instructor really makes you feel comfortable. and is great with questions". - C.D., Calgary, Alberta
- "Fabulous course. Great group of people. Great instructor". - S.B., Kamloops , B.C.
- "[Instructor] is very knowledgeable and outstanding at motivating students". - T.C., Terrace, B.C.
- "Excellent hands-on training in the field. I learned much more than I expected to. I would definitely take another course from [this instructor]". - C. M., Salmon Arm, B.C.
- "Very professional and well organized". - B.M., Victoria, B.C.
- "Best part of the course was the teacher's style and presentation". - A.J., Massett, B.C.
- "The instructor and course was never intimidating, very respectful environment. The hands-on learning was outstanding. Excellent learning environment". -B.A., Burns Lake, B.C.
- "The field training was great. Great instructor; understanding the course was easy". R.F., Surrey, B.C.
- "Excellent teaching style; very personable, helpful and knowledgeable". - E.P., Moricetown, B.C.
- "The course was great, I would recommend it to any of my friends. This was the best course I have taken to date". -D.B., Cranbrook, B.C.
- "[Instructor] really cares about each students agenda.very helpful and respectful " - L.J., Dawson City, Yukon.
Arranging a Delivery in Your Community:
Community groups or organizations are advised to contact Darren Hebert , for more information. The FFTC Program books deliveries on a "first-come, first-served" basis and commonly meets delivery capacity very early each year. Groups are recommended to consult with the Fisheries Coordinator well in advance of your proposed or ideal delivery timeframe. Groups are asked to consider the following:
- Identify and secure program funding (if applicable).
- Complete a contractual agreement to finalize delivery particulars.
- Recruit and ensure sufficient number of course participants.
- Apply for and retain a Section 9 permit.
- Apply for and retain a fish collection permit for applicable streams.
- Coordinate and arrange classroom facilities.