Niagara College Canada will be offering the Nation’s first post-graduate cannabis credential beginning September 2018. The Commercial Cannabis Production Program at the School of Environmental and Horticultural Studies will teach a balance of practical skills for growing cannabis commercially with the legal considerations and regulations which govern cannabis production in Canada.
The secure growing facility at the College’s Niagara-on-the-Lake Campus will serve as the applied learning environment for the one-year post-graduate certificate. Students will be growing real cannabis under existing legislation. The program will require students to complete a field placement with a Licensed Producer (LP) to graduate.
Courses will include Biology and Evolution of Cannabis, Cannabis Production Science, and Regulations of Cannabis Industry, among others.
Students will need a post-secondary degree or diploma in agribusiness, agricultural sciences, environmental science, resource studies, natural sciences, horticulture to be eligible for the program. A combination of a different eligible degree and experience in the field may also be accepted.
Cannabis Careers in Canada
The cannabis industry is growing rapidly in Canada. Not only do LPs closely follow Canadian Government regulations, but growing quality commercial cannabis requires precise control and a meticulously particular process to be done right. These factors can make it difficult for companies to find qualified candidates for work in production. Production employees must be adept in all aspects of the cannabis production process including:
- Cultivation
- Staying current with contemporary research
- Plant nutrition
- Procurement
- Tracking cost
- Interpreting data
- Following security protocols
The Ministry of Advanced Education and Skills Development approved the program this summer.
The Ministry’s approval of the new new cannabis-oriented program can be seen as a response to the high demand for specialized workers in Ontario’s burgeoning cannabis industry. Ontario is now home to 31 LPs. The closest contender is British Columbia with 14.
Students interested in the program should visit the Commercial Cannabis Production web page.
As an LP, INDIVA is always looking for top talent which shares our vision for the future of cannabis in Canada. Find out if you are a good fit for the team on our Careers page.