Students hot on a career path in aquaculture, thanks to a unique diploma program.
Nicholas Mattersdorfer had his eye on catching the big fish the day he walked through the doors of Excel Career College’s aquaculture technician diploma program.
“During the very first meeting to discuss the program and do orientation, Nicholas stated he wanted to work at Creative Salmon,” recalls Pauline Stevenson, president of Excel Career College.
“He is a young, very personable man who indicated his wife, baby and baby-to-be were his number one priority, and Creative Salmon’s farms are close enough to transport the staff to and from [Tofino, B.C.] on a daily basis.”
Focused on that goal, the 28-year-old Mr. Mattersdorfer from the Ahousaht First Nation sought and won a student internship with nearby Creative Salmon, which hired him upon his graduation from the six-month program.
He’s been employed there as an aquaculture technician ever since. Creative Salmon raises certified organic Chinook salmon in the waters of Clayoquot Sound on the west coast of Vancouver Island.
“This was my practicum job and I was just supposed to work out here for a week,” he recalls. “It’s a good job. I love it. It’s year round and I don’t have to worry about having no work at all out here. The people here are great. Everything is great.”
Mr. Mattersdorfer is one of some 95 graduates of the Excel aquaculture technician diploma program. The course is unique in that it develops partnerships with First Nations communities such as Ahousaht, whose traditional territory is in Clayoquot Sound, and brings the training into the remote First Nation territories.
The need is great. With 109 salmon farm sites tenured (about 60 to 70 operating at any one time) in the coastal waters of British Columbia, the sector faces an ongoing shortage of skilled and trained workers. First Nations communities near the aquaculture operations often have to cope with economic hardship and high unemployment. They are losing their young people to the cities, where they go in search of better opportunities.
“First Nations are looking for ways to develop their communities through engaging their young people in ways that they can be proud of and have sustainable economic lives,” says Ms. Stevenson. “They don’t want their communities to dwindle. They don’t want to see young people get their skills and leave. They want them to attain skills and stay. It’s really satisfying to be able to do something that supports that need.”
The Excel program works because it mobilizes the training within the First Nations communities, bringing the classroom, computers and instructors to those locations.
The students get all of the required tickets they need to work in the industry, including certifications like Small Vessel Operator Proficiency, Marine Emergency Duties and First Aid.
For 24-year-old Damon Vann-Tarrant Rampanen, who graduated from the program in 2012, the experience has been life-altering.
“I had little knowledge of aquaculture before the course so everything I took from the program, 100 per cent has helped me become who I am today out on the site,” says the 24-year old. Mr. Vann-Tarrant Rampanen worked as an intern for the Nuu-chah-nulth Tribal Council prior to making the career switch.
Today, he works for Cermaq Canada, the company that hired him straight out of school. “The training has helped me climb the work ladder since I started at Cermaq. I wouldn’t be out here if I didn’t attend the Excel program.”
He hopes to someday manage a farm site for Cermaq, a company where he sees a long-term future. “I intend to continue trying my best to move up and continue to expand my knowledge to achieve my goal of eventually being in management.”
Trevor Fraser is already on the management path. Fraser, the recipient of the 2014 Outstanding Graduate award offered by the BC Career Colleges Association, was enrolled in the first class to pilot the collaboration with a First Nation’s community. His town Tsaxana, near Gold River, hosted the training in 2012, in partnership with the Mowachaht Muchalaht First Nation, Grieg Seafood, and Excel.
“I am currently training to become a part of the management team, and look forward to using the knowledge gained from taking the aquaculture technician program,” said Fraser. “My goal is not only to become part of management, but also to become a positive advocate for the benefit of the aquaculture industry.”
Back at Creative Salmon, Mr. Mattersdorfer prepares for his shift.
It’s raining out, and a good time to replenish the feed in the fish pens. He empties 14 25-kilogram-bags of feed into each pen.
As a farm technician, Mr. Mattersdorfer does whatever is required to maintain the operations, and he is well compensated. With a wife and two children under two years old, Mr. Mattersdorfer makes enough to look after his family.
He hopes to someday own his own house. “I want to work my way up in the company. This is a great steady job and I get to see my family everyday.”
For Mr. Mattersdorfer, like the students who came before him and the ones who will follow, the future is bright in large part thanks to the Excel program and the doors it opens for a satisfying and well-compensated career in aquaculture.
