Environmental Technician Certificate Program (ETCP)
Download our ETCP Flyer here!
Overview:
The Environmental Technician Certificate Program (ETCP) is comprised of two leading-edge environmental monitoring training options:
1. A certificate program consisting of 5, 1-week training modules that are delivered over a consecutive 5 week five period.
2. A certificate program consisting of 5, 1-week training modules where the training modules are delivered over time as a series of separate 1-week courses. Over time, all 5 training modules are completed.
The ETCP is designed to be delivered directly within communities, utilizing local environmental sites and conditions as the “classroom”. The ETCP courses and program are highly applied ‘hands-on’ training sessions, with field work, demonstrations, and/or field training taking place most days.
Class vs Field:
Will vary course-by-course. Approximately 3/4's of each course is field-based, 'hands on' training (weather dependent).
Objective:
The ETCP is designed to address the nation-wide need for certified, skilled aboriginal environmental field technicians. The ETCP will train practitioners in in-demand environmental monitoring skills and abilities required to assist: biologists, environmental technicians, engineers, hydrologists, and site restoration and environmental monitoring professionals.
Who enrolls in the Environmental Technician Certificate Program?
This program is designed to provide high-quality environmental monitoring skills training to current field technicians and individuals aspiring to be environmental 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 environmental programs.
Employment Opportunities
Graduates find employment with private industry (consultants, mining companies, forestry companies, oil & gas companies) and First Nations Councils/Bands. Many grads are today employed as Environmental Monitors for a variety of companies, employers, and bands. As of July 2011, the ETCP has had more than 400 graduates who now assume these types of positions. Upon completion, NREP staff will assist graduates with job placement and impartial career advice.
Agenda
The AET series is comprised of a series of 1-week courses:
- Land Monitoring Skills (5 days)
- Water Monitoring Skills (5 days)
- Construction Site Monitoring Skills (5 days)
- Fish and Fish Habitat Monitoring Skills (5 days)
- Essential Environmental Skills (5 days)
For a detailed overview of each module, click here.
The daily delivery format is typically an 8-hour session, with most days involving field training sessions. 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.
Environmental Technician Certificate Program Completion Options
The ETCP has been developed to provide participants with more flexibility and options to complete this accredited, post-secondary certificate program.
Participants may register for any one-week session, or a number of one-week sessions in a row, or complete a number of one-week sessions over time (e.g., one per season/month/year), ultimately leading to completion of the ETCP full five-week certificate program. Participants may also enroll in a full five-week ETCP program delivery. A Statement of Course Completion is issued for successful completion of any one-week course, while an accredited, post secondary certificate is issued for successful completion of all five weeks of training.
Courses can be completed in any order. However, if participants are wishing to complete all five weeks to obtain a certificate, we strongly recommend they first complete the ‘Essential Environmental Field Skills’ training course. Further information is available on the NREP website: www.viu.ca/nrep/programs.asp
Prospective participants should consider the following factors when deciding to enroll in the ETCP: present and future availability of courses; timing; cost; and, travel and living out requirements.
How do I attend?
The ETCP program is offered in several formats.
- Regularly-scheduled deliveries, where NREP schedules individual one-week modules or our full, five-week ETCP delivery. These programs are offered throughout Canada from March to November each year. Participants may register for these directly.
- Contract deliveries, where a group will bring NREP to a given community to deliver a one-week or series of one-week sessions or the full, five-week ETCP program. Participants may be permitted to attend these deliveries (as availability permits).
Program Evaluation
Participants will need to meet or exceed the following program standards. Note: there are no formal exams issued during any component of the ETCP.
- 90% attendance for the program
- Demonstration of practical field skills
- Completion of field journal assignments
Prerequisites
The ETCP has no formal pre-requisites, but an appropriate First Aid (1-day) course having a CPR component is a co-requisite to the ‘Fish and Fish Habitat Assessment Skills’ module.
Personal Equipment Requirements
NREP provides 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.
Participants must supply their own personal field gear and clothing. Equipment required will vary by course-by-course:
Mandatory items include:
- appropriate field work clothing (note: Please avoid tight-fitting jeans and consider bringing extra socks and a second pair of pants),
- sturdy footwear,
- raingear,
- clinometer,
- work gloves,
- Field vest/ Hi-vis vest,
- Bag lunch and beverage (each day)
For the 'Fish and Fish Habitat Assessment' and/or 'Water Monitoring' Skills module(s):
- leak-proof chest waders (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.
Course Fees
Course fees will vary by location and length of training session. Please also refer to the Course Schedule or contact us for further information. Traditional student loans are not available for this program. A number of potential funding sources are available through Employment Equity programs and agencies.
Arranging a Delivery in Your Community
Want us to bring the ETCP to your community or region? Simply contact us via email, or at 250-740-6377 for more information. Groups are recommended to consult with us 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
- Coordinate and arrange classroom facilities, including laboratory, computer, and lecture rooms
Registration
Registration information is available online at www.viu.ca/nrep/
Schedule
Course schedule information is available online here, or by contacting Darren Hebert, NREP Program Manager, or 250-740-6377.
Prerequisites:
The ETCP has no formal pre-requisites, but an appropriate First Aid (1-day) course having a CPR component.
"Safety Consultants" and "Safety Training Companies" offer first aid courses, as listed in the Yellow Pages.
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.
Contact Us:
Darren Hebert, NREP Program Manager
Tel: (250) 740-6377
Fax: (250) 740-6480