Most people probably still think that to get into the aquaculture, fish harvesting or fish processing sectors all you have to do is go to the “school of hard knocks.” The reality today is that these careers come with technical and information challenges vastly different from years ago and specific training is necessary in order to improve your chances of success and to be safe. Community colleges, universities and Sector Council funded training offer fishers and aquaculture workers a chance to learn all facets of technical and business information, plus for aquaculture there is a full four year university degree program available.

Now, by all means, no one can become a top flight harvester, grower or processor just by going to school. Years of “on the job” training is still required in these fields because so much of what it takes to be successful involves watching and working with those that already are. Entry-level jobs on fishing boats, at aquaculture sites and in fish plants exist to give you a peek at what the work requires so you can test if you wish to make these fields your career choice. Before long, however, especially during the Seasonal periods of less work, you should consider taking training to learn the finer aspects of each field and to bring this knowledge back to your job. In many respects, these career options benefit from the typical co-operative education programs now so common in many other fields.

There are regulatory requirements for an entry-level safety course for all fishers and more detailed requirements for operators of fishing vessels. Other than this, however, there are no other government regulated requirements to take any training for these sub-sectors.

Education and training for careers in aquaculture, fish harvesting and fish processing are primarily available from the Nova Scotia Community College system at three of its campuses around the province.

• Pictou, at the Nova Scotia School of Fisheries, which focuses on harvesting technology, navigation, engineering and safety.
• Shelburne, where the focus is on aquaculture and fish quality.
• Port Hawkesbury, at the Nautical Institute, where the focus is on commercial marine training and some training for the fishing industry.

The NSCC also offers customized training for all aspects of its service to the fishery and aquaculture industries, including:

Marine Emergency Duties (MED)

Master Class 4

QMP-R for Processing Plants

Safe Boat Handling Practices

Fish Handling Practices

Sanitation Courses

Computer Applications for Fishermen (ocean mapping technology)

Other sources of training for fisheries sector employers and new entrants are available through programs offered by the Nova Scotia Fisheries Sector Council. This organization offers training programs on a cost-shared basis using Human Resources Development Canada contributions or subsidies for eligible participants. You may be eligible for assistance depending upon your employment status. Checkout the Fisheries Sector Council’s present course offering at http://www.fisheriesritc.com.

The information that follows will provide more detail about programs being offered in Nova Scotia for each of the three sub-sectors aquaculture, fish harvesting and fish processing.

The Canadian Aquaculture Industry Alliance (http://www.aquaculture.ca) has studied the training needs of existing companies and individuals in the industry. You may wish to learn more about these areas found to require attention because they will make your a more attractive potential employee. These areas are:

• general and technical operating skills
• sanitation/HAACP/QC skills
• fish health
• feed programs, and
• safety

These categories involve almost all aspects of work at an aquaculture site, with the exception of business and human resource issues which are of interest to site managers. Other information from the CAIA is included on the FishJobs.ca page on Career Information/Aquaculture (internal link).

Training for all aspects of work at aquaculture sites is provided in a specialized program at the Nova Scotia Community College campus in Shelburne. The course provides a Certificate in Aquaculture and covers the main topics of aquaculture operations. See http://www.nscc.ns.ca/Programs/Aquaculture.html

For a more intensive degree program in aquaculture, the Nova Scotia Agriculture College in Truro offers a four year Aquaculture program. The training prepares you for both the business, biological and technical aspects of aquaculture. For more information, see the NSAC web site using this link. (http://www.nsac.ns.ca/academics/aquaculture.htm)

A few selected courses related to aquaculture site work is also offered by the NS Fisheries Sector Council, see their link (http://www.fisheriesritc.com).

The School of Fisheries in Pictou has been operated by the NS Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture since 1946 but after April 2001 it will become part of the NS Community College system. The past few years has seen an increase in outreach programs at various other NSCC sites around the province offering a sub-set of the courses listed below.

The present courses offered at the School of Fisheries include the following. There may be some adjustments for the academic year beginning in September 2001 as part of becoming an NSCC campus so check back here or the NSCC web site for regular updates.

Courses at Pictou:

Fishing Technology

• Offshore Trawler Deckhand
• Trawlerman
• Inshore Vessel Deckhand
• Inshore Fishing Gear Maintenance
• Gillnetting and Longlining
• Bottom Trawling
• Scottish/Danish Seining

Marine Engineering

• Engine Room Watchkeeper
• Marine Engineer 3rd Class Motor
• Refrigeration
• Oxy-Acetylene and Arc Welding
• Hydraulics
• Basic Marine Mechanical Operations
• Stationery Engineering

Navigation

• Introduction to Navigation
• Fishing Master Class IV
• Fishing Master Class III
• Fishing Master Class II
• Fishing Master Class I
• Continued Proficiency Endorsement
• Radiotelephone Operator

Safety

• Basic Safety Course - A1 Marine Emergency Duties
• Basic Safety Course – A2 Marine Emergency Duties
• St. John Ambulance First Aid and CPR

The School of Fisheries also offers customized programs. More information can be found by contacting the School directly at (902) 485-8031.

For training more focussed on marine navigation, marine engineering and marine safety, check out the Nautical Institute, which is a division of NSCC Strait Area Campus in Port Hawkesbury. There is some overlap in the content of specific navigation and engineering courses. Details are available at the links below for the courses offered there.

Marine Navigation – Cadet One year Certificate for eventual career as a deck officer on a ship. See http://www.nscc.ns.ca/Programs/MarineNavigation.html

Marine Engineering – Cadet One Year Certificate for eventual career as an engineer officer on a ship. See http://www.nscc.ns.ca/Programs/MarineEngineeringC.html

New Entry Seaperson An 18 week certificate course for an eventual career as a crew member of a ship.

The Nautical Institute also provides simulated training in marine communications, marine navigation and propulsion plant operation. Fisherman seeking Transport Canada or Industry Canada mandated training in these areas can enroll in regularly scheduled courses. The Institute also offers the full range of Marine Emergency Duties (MED) training throughout the year, including MED A1, A2, B1, C and D.

Unlike aquaculture and fish harvesting, there are no specific certificate, diploma or degree programs for people interested in careers in fish processing. Training for these fields comes first through your employer and then through specific training modules offered by various public and private trainers throughout the province. Some processor related programs have been organized through the Nova Scotia Fisheries Sector Council. This training focuses on operating specific machines such as Baader or forklifts, on handling practices for improved fish quality, on sanitation programs or on quality or food safety regimes such as HACCP or QMP-R. Check out the present offering at the fisheries sector council website

Some larger fish plants are hiring food scientist graduates to operate their quality management or Hazard Analysis at Critical Control Points (HACCP) programs. Dalhousie University offers a four year Bachelor of Applied Science in Food Science at its DalTech campus in Halifax. Upon completion, graduates interesting in expanding their credentials in this area can continue to study for higher level degrees.

Some food scientists in Nova Scotia focus on fish products and seafood processing technology. They develop and test new products, work on product derivatives or extracts such as marine plants, oils or biotechnology products. More information is available at the web site for the Department of Food Science and Technology (http://www.dal.ca/~foodsci/) at Dalhousie.