New Green Certificate Program

Poultry technician joins the list of programs already being offered through the Green Certificate Program (GCP) and funded through a partnership between Alberta Education and Agriculture and Forestry.

Other courses include Beekeeper production technician, Cow-calf beef production technician, Dairy production technician, Equine technician, Feedlot beef production technician, Field crop production technician, Greenhouse technician, Irrigated field crop production technician, Sheep production technician, and Swine production technician.

“Our government is excited to expand this important program, as it provides real-life, hands-on learning for students who work on a farm or for students interested in the agriculture industry. The program helps students to develop the confidence, skills and knowledge they need for their future,” said David Eggen, Minister of Education.

The Green Certificate Program provides opportunities for students to develop the confidence, skills and knowledge they need for careers in the agricultural industry. It fosters employability skills that support the development of a skilled and educated workforce.

“This program is great for rural Alberta, our communities and our kids. It provides opportunities for youth to see training close to home and helps to develop the leaders the industry needs. Expanding this program means even more choices for students to explore career options in agriculture. We are committed to supporting families by improving growth in rural programs and the agricultural industry,” said Oneil Carlier, Minister of Agriculture and Forestry.

The program was well received by the agriculture industry, but schools identified that the single largest barrier to participation in the GCP was the course fees.

As a result, the province is investing up to $400,000 annually to cover the course fees for students enrolled in the program.

“Adding poultry technician to the Green Certificate Program fills a critical gap in the program and provides an enhanced training path for our future broiler farmers and farm technicians,” said Robert Renema, producer programs manager of the Alberta Chicken Producers.

“We recognize the incredible efforts of those driving the development of this program and were happy to have been involved in the process.”

The GCP was developed by Alberta Agriculture and Forestry in 1975 as a way to address labour market needs for Alberta’s agriculture sector.

On average, more than 750 students participate in the GCP each year.

 

Submitted

About the author

ECA Review

Our newspaper is only as good as its contributors and we thank each one who submits stories, photos and opinions. If you have a news item, photos or opinion to share please submit it to office@ECAreview.com.