The Alberta Green Certificate Program is a hands-on agricultural training program that allows high school students to gain practical experience in the agriculture industry while earning high school credits. Students work alongside an experienced mentor to develop skills and knowledge in an agricultural specialization that interests them, such as equine, dairy, beef production, field crops, or other areas of agriculture. Green Certificate provides students with an opportunity to explore agricultural careers, build employability skills, gain valuable industry experience, and make connections that can support future education, training, and employment.
Alberta Agriculture and Forestry (AAF) works in partnership with the agriculture industry and Alberta Education to offer the Green Certificate Program to all Grade 10-12 high school students in Alberta. Trainees select one of the following specializations:
- Beekeeper Production Technician
- Cow-Calf Beef Production Technician
- Dairy Production Technician
- Feedlot Beef Production Technician
- Field Crop Production Technician
- Irrigated Field Crop Production Technician
- Sheep Production Technician
- Swine Production Technician
- Greenhouse Technician
- Equine Technician
- Poultry Production Technician
Under the guidance of their own trainer, students work towards mastering all of the skills within their training program.
Program Details
Eligibility
Open to CBE high school students who:
- Are in grades 10-12 during the program and are a minimum of 15 years of age.
- Have completed the following prerequisite course:
- AGR3000
Attend an Info Session
Join an upcoming information session to learn more about the program, curriculum and instructors.
Upcoming Sessions
Location & Delivery
- Students work alongside their trainer at their own pace at their designated agricultural facility.
- Testing occurs multiple times throughout the year in Olds, Hanna and Cochrane.
Duration & Time
- Students can register at any time during the school year.
- Students have until the end of their Grade 12 year to complete their Green Certificate program.
Program Benefits
- Experience industry training and post-secondary education and get a jump start on your industry pathway while still in high school.
- Build confidence by developing learning strategies and skills that support your learning transitions.
- Learn about ongoing opportunities and potential employment opportunities.
- Experience instructors who are connected to industry and post-secondary and support students in making meaningful connections to career pathways.
- Earn high school credits and industry safety credentials.
Credits
16 Credits, 30 Level CTS
Considerations
- Students must have access to an agricultural facility (within 50 km of Calgary city limits) and provide their own trainer.
- The program follows guidelines from Alberta Education’s Off-campus Education Handbook, requiring a workplace inspection and supervising teacher.
- Students must be available for testing at least once per school year.
- Each subject area requires a trainee to successfully complete 3 tests in order to receive their certificate.
- The tests are oral and practical, hands-on tests. Trainees will have to be able to describe and talk about the information in the curriculum book, as well as show a tester using machinery/animals/props provided at the test site.
How to Apply
- Read through the course(s) and/or program(s) of interest.
- Students must attend an online information/induction session with the Olds College Green Certificate coordinator. Please email Tom Wong at ttwong@cbe.ab.ca or uniquepathways@cbe.ab.ca for dates and information.
Contact
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Last modified: 2026-10-05 19:12:44.068094 +0000 UTC