Essential Fisheries Field Skills Certificate Program (EFFS)

Overview:

The EFFS is a two-week fisheries field technician certification program offered by Vancouver Island University. The program is designed to address the need for certified, skilled fisheries field technicians.

The EFFS is designed to be delivered directly within communities across Canada, utilizing local streams and regional watersheds as the "classroom".

The EFFS 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: 3.5 days; Field: 6.5 days

Agenda:

The EFFS is comprised of 6 course modules, delivered over a two-week period, Monday to Friday. The daily delivery format is typically an 8-hour session, with approximately 3 classroom days and 7 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, instructional staff is available for scheduled tutoring and assistance.

Week One:

Week Two:

Registration:

Registration information is available here.

Objectives:

The EFFS is designed to address the 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 fish habitat inventory and assessment.

Course Completion Options and Evaluation:

The EFFS 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.

As a requirement for certification, participants will need to meet or exceed the following program standards.
• 100% attendance for the program.
• 70% score on the program Knowledge Evaluations.

Prerequisites:

The EFFS has one pre-requisite; successful completion of an approved First Aid course having a CPR component. Please note: first aid training may be completed after completion of the EFFS program.

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). 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 the 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 EFFS is available for delivery in towns and communities throughout Canada. Interested groups or individuals should consult the EFFS Course Schedule, or contact the NREP Manager to arrange a program delivery.

Who enrolls in the EFFS?

This high-paced program is designed to provide high-quality skills training to new or existing environmental practitioners wishing to update and expand their skills and abilities. Participants that commonly enroll in this program include; environmental consultants, existing field technicians, resource workers, First Nations, individuals new to the industry, and graduates of other post-secondary fisheries or environmental programs.

Employment Opportunities:

Graduates of this program will find 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., 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 EFFS is based largely on industry demands. The acquired field skills and knowledge from this program are currently in-demand in the fisheries and environmental fields. 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.

Further, graduates of this program are frequently made aware of fisheries employment opportunities around the province. Natural Resources Extension Program (NREP) personnel are closely linked with industry and considered a leading supplier of industry personnel. Consequently, NREP staff frequently receives employment inquiries from a variety of employers, agencies, or organizations. Also, NREP staff are dedicated to provide on-going support and advise with respect to employment and career advancement.

Program Completion Options:

Participants may complete the program full-time or part-time, 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, NREP Manager, for more information. The EFFS 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 fish collection permit for applicable streams.
Coordinate and arrange classroom facilities.