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First Nations Fisheries Field Technologist Diploma Program (FNFTDP)

Overview | Agenda | Schedule | Registration | Prerequisites | Personal Equipment Requirements | Course Fees | Course Schedule | Credit & Transfer Options | Who enrols in the FNFTDP? | Employment Opportunities  | Program Completion Options | Arranging a Delivery in Your Community

For more information, download our FNFTDP Flyer here!

Overview:

The First Nations' Fisheries Technologist Diploma Program (FNFTDP) is an accredited fisheries diploma program that is designed to be delivered directly in First Nations' communities throughout Western Canada.  The program was established in 1992 in conjunction with the BC Ministry of Skills, Training and Labour by the Vancouver Island University and the Fisheries and Aquaculture (F&A) Extension Program.

The program has a unique option to allow for the incorporation of identified training needs of specific First Nations' groups (i.e., emphasis on coastal, interior, northern, southern, freshwater or marine fisheries or aquaculture). 

The core courses of the FNFTD program follow closely those required by the fisheries component of the Fisheries and Aquaculture Technologist Diploma program curriculum at the Vancouver Island University campus in Nanaimo (they exclude courses related to the aquaculture component, unless specifically requested). 

Instructors are drawn from either the Fisheries and Aquaculture Department faculty, or from external sources, approved jointly by the F&A Department and the sponsoring group, such as other educational institutions, First Nations or government agencies and private industry, to deliver the FNFTDP.   

Agenda:

In principle it is possible to tailor the course selection to the specific needs of the sponsoring community or organization.  However, any and all course or program changes (i.e., course revisions, additions or deletions) are subject to approval by Vancouver Island University, the accrediting institution. 

Courses and format in the current FNFTDP include but need not be limited to the following. Course descriptions are here: Calendar Courses | Vancouver Island University (VIU)

Course	# of Semesters	Hours Of Instruction	Hours Of Lab
Salmonid Life Histories	2	42	42
Fisheries English #1	1	45	25
Enhancement/Restoration	2	108	60
Computing Science	2	84	84
Fisheries English #2	1	70	0
Hydrology	2	57	27
Fisheries Politics	2	55	15
Salmonid Fisheries	2	84	84
Fisheries Statistics	1	60	10
Traditional Values & Philosophies	2	84	0
Project Management	2	84	0
Habitat Assessment and Management	2	69	15

Schedule:

Course schedule information is available here or by contacting the Fisheries Coordinator

Registration:

Registration information is available here.  

Prerequisites:

The prerequisite requirements are as follows:

Module I

Module II

• Hydrology requires Biology 11
• Computing Science requires Math 11

If students have English 11 but not Biology 11 and Math 11, they may enter Module I and take Biology 11 and Math 11 concurrently. The program is designed to be flexible and accommodate the different needs of First Nations' groups.

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, laboratory equipment and supplies, 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 Fisheries Coordinator for further information.

Course Schedule:

Course schedule information is available here or by contacting the department at 250-740-6364.

Credit and Transfer Options:

The opportunities for student transfer from the FNFTD Program to other programs outside of the Vancouver Island University (VIU) system is limited at this time.  Currently, it is relatively easy for students with a VIU FNFT Diploma to transfer into the VIU Fisheries and Aquaculture BSc. Program.  Each case will be slightly different but the designated student advisor on faculty in the Fisheries and Aquaculture Department will provide the necessary direction to deal with each specific situation. 

Transfers to educational institutions other than VIU have not been established at this point. However, it is possible to negotiate with the another institution on a case-by-case basis for recognition and transferability of FNFTD Program courses.   

Who enrolls in the FNFTDP?

This program is designed to provide high-quality skills training to 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; tribal-based fisheries programs, federal and provincial government agencies (e.g., DFO, BC Environment), consultants (environmental, forestry, fisheries), stakeholder groups (e.g., Streamkeepers, watershed protection groups), and other non-government organizations.

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

Program Completion Options:

Please refer to Agenda.

Arranging a Delivery in Your Community:

Community groups or organizations are advised to contact the Fisheries Coordinator for more information. 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: