Agricultural Technician
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:
| Starting | $18.07 |
|---|---|
| Overall | $21.36 |
| Top | $24.68 |
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. In general, swine technicians monitor the health and well-being of pigs. To do this, they:
Swine technicians may supervise farm labourers.
Swine technicians work primarily in barns. They also may work outdoors in all weather conditions. They must follow safety precautions to avoid injury when working with machinery and tools. They must wear protective clothing. They also must 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 heavy items routinely is required.
Swine technicians need:
They should enjoy taking a methodical approach to farm duties, keeping records, and supervising feeding, health, and breeding programs.
Employers are willing to hire and train people with no previous experience raising pigs if applicants like animals and are:
There are no standard education requirements in this occupation. However, many employers prefer applicants with a minimum high school diploma as they can more successfully move up into management. To work independently, swine technicians need knowledge and experience related to:
The Government of Alberta offers the Green Certificate Program. The program provides apprenticeship-style training. It combines hands-on farm mentorship with formal education.
The program is free and available to students at all Alberta high schools. Various specializations, such as swine technician, are offered at each level. Graduates of the Level I Green Certificate Program are certified as farm production technicians. They may earn credits toward their high school diploma for each specialization they complete. Level II (farm production supervisor) and III (agribusiness manager) Green Certificates are also available. They are meant for people interested in a career in agriculture.
To participate in the Green Certificate Program, trainees must be at least 15 years of age and in grade 10, 11, or 12. The training takes about a year. That allows trainees to experience all 4 seasons on a farm.
For more information, students may visit the Green Certificate Program website or ask their guidance counsellor.
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 [pdf] 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.
| Wages* | Low (5th percentile) | High (95th percentile) | Average | Median |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Starting | $0.00 | $25.96 | $18.07 | $18.00 |
| Overall | $17.00 | $29.12 | $21.36 | $21.75 |
| Top | $19.90 | $36.54 | $24.68 | $24.52 |
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* All wage estimates are hourly except where otherwise indicated. Wages and salaries do not include overtime hours, tips, benefits, profit shares, bonuses (unrelated to production) and other forms of compensation.
Good Reliability, represents a CV of between 6.01% and 15.00% and/or fewer than 30 survey observations and/or if survey observations represent less than 50% of all estimated employment for the occupation.
| Public Administration | $52,019 |
|---|---|
| Agriculture | $47,628 |
| ALL INDUSTRIES | $46,569 |
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 Mar 31, 2019. 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.