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Agricultural Technician, Farmer
In Canada, the federal government groups and organizes occupations based on a National Occupational Classification (NOC) system. This alis occupation may not reflect the entire NOC group it is part of. Data for the NOC group can apply across multiple occupations.
The NOC system is updated every 5 years to reflect changes in the labour market. Government forms and labour market data may group and refer to an occupation differently, depending on the system used. Here is how this occupation has been classified over time:
Interest in handling equipment to perform general farm duties; and in maintaining livestock performance records and in training horses
Interest in co-ordinating information to formulate feeding programs
Interest in supervising feeding, health and breeding programs; may supervise general farm workers and harvesting labourers
The interest code helps you figure out if you’d like to work in a particular occupation.
It’s based on the Canadian Work Preference Inventory (CWPI), which measures 5 occupational interests: Directive, Innovative, Methodical, Objective and Social.
Each set of 3 interest codes is listed in order of importance.
A code in capital letters means it’s a strong fit for the occupation.
A code in all lowercase letters means the fit is weaker.
Duties vary from one position to another but, in general, swine technicians:
Swine technicians may supervise farm labourers.
Swine technicians work primarily in barns but may work outdoors in all weather conditions. They must follow safety precautions to avoid injury when working with machinery and tools, wear protective clothing and follow good animal hygiene practices to prevent or control the spread of diseases and parasites. Modern barns are well ventilated and manure is flushed out regularly.
Lifting items that weigh up to 20 kilograms routinely is required.
Swine technicians need the following characteristics:
They should enjoy taking a methodical approach to farm duties and keeping records, and supervising feeding, health and breeding programs.
Many employers are willing to hire and train people who have no previous experience raising pigs if job applicants like animals and are:
There are no standard education requirements in this occupation but, to work independently, swine technicians need knowledge and experience related to:
The Alberta Green Certificate Program offered through the Government of Alberta is an apprenticeship-style training that combines hands-on farm mentorship with formal education.
The Green Certificate is a complimentary program of study available to students of all Alberta high schools. There are various specializations offered (for example, swine production) at each level. Graduates of the Level I Green Certificate Program are certified as farm production technician and may earn up to 16 credits towards their high school diploma for each specialization completed. Levels II (farm production supervisor) and III (agribusiness manager) Green Certificates are also available for those who are interested in advancing their career in the agriculture industry.
To participate in the Green Certificate Program, trainees must be at least 15 years of age and enrolled in grade 10, 11 or 12. The training takes approximately one year, allowing trainees to experience all of the seasons on a farming operation.
For more information about the program and admission requirements, students may follow the Green Certificate Program link above or contact their school representative to connect with the Green Certificate regional coordinator.
The following schools offer programs or courses that are related to this occupation but are not required to enter the field.
For a broad list of programs and courses that may be related to this occupation try searching using keywords.
Certification is not required, as there is currently no legislation regulating this occupation.
Swine technicians work on farms. Most hog farms are family owned operations; about half have 1 or 2 employees. However, swine production operations are getting bigger and more specialized. For example, farms may specialize in breeding and producing piglets, raising piglets to market weight, or raising purebred hogs to sell as breeding stock.
Those who successfully complete Level 1 of the Alberta Green Certificate Farm Training program may progress to Level 2 (production supervisor) and Level 3 (farm business manager).
Swine technicians are part of the larger 2011 National Occupational Classification 8252: Agricultural Service Contractors, Farm Supervisors and Specialized Livestock Workers. In Alberta, 79% of people employed in this classification work in the following industries:
The employment outlook in this occupation will be influenced by a wide variety of factors including:
Employment turnover is expected to increase as members of the baby boom generation retire over the next few years.
Swine technicians are part of the larger 2011 National Occupational Classification 8252: Agricultural service contractors, farm supervisors and specialized livestock workers.
According to the 2017 Alberta Wage and Salary Survey, Albertans in the Agricultural service contractors, farm supervisors and specialized livestock workers occupational group earned on average from $18.07 to $24.68 an hour. The overall average was $21.36 an hour. For more information, see the Agricultural service contractors, farm supervisors and specialized livestock workers wage profile.
Alberta Pork website, Producer and Industry Information Centre: www.albertapork.com
For more information on career planning, education and jobs call the Alberta Supports Contact Centre toll-free at 1-877-644-9992 or 780-644-9992 in Edmonton, or visit an Alberta Supports Centre near you.
Updated Feb 14, 2011. The information contained in this profile is current as of the dates shown. Salary, employment outlook and educational program information may change without notice. It is advised that you confirm this information before making any career decisions.