This 29 week program is designed to prepare students with the personal development, academic, employment and occupational skills, work experience and related education necessary to become environmental monitors. Successful participants will receive a Program Certificate from Keyano College/Golder Associates. Upon successful completion of the safety training, participants will receive Health & Safety Certificates.

Living close to the land and being aware of the changes it goes through has been part of Aboriginal culture for decades. The Environmental Monitoring Program equips students with the skills needed to take part in modern processes that examine how the land is affected by industry and individuals.

As a student in the Environmental Monitoring Program, you'll receive hands-on training through flexible and responsive instruction geared toward your individual needs and those expressed by industry. You'll gain safety and technical skills that are beneficial in many areas of employment in the region, as well as specific environmental study in areas such as planning, inspection, reclamation and waste management. Three specialized modules in archaeology, terrestrial and fisheries, and water quality will provide you with knowledge and technical skills to enhance your work experience as an environmental monitor.

When you successfully complete the Program, you may be interviewed by industry stakeholders and participating employers, which may lead to employment as an environmental monitor.

Links Related to Career or Career Profile Page

• www.alis.gov.ab.ca/employment/albertajobbank

Past Successes

Lionel Giant, Saddle Lake First Nation member has completed the 2nd year Environmental Technology Diploma program. He graduated from the Environmental Monitoring Program November 2007. The EM Program is sponsored by Cenovus, ConocoPhillips, and Alberta Employment & Immigration. Lionel was hired by Golder Associates upon Graduation in 2007 and he continues to be employed by Golder Associates.

Golder Associates is instrumental in supporting in-kind services to the Environmental programs at Keyano College.

• Environmental Monitor Orientation
• Academic Upgrading
  • Effective Reading in Context (ERIC)
  • Workplace Applied Math (WAM)
  • Computer Skills
• Safety Training (Six industry required Certifications)
• Traditional Land Use with Field Study
• Environmental Planning with Field Study
• Environmental Inspection, Monitoring and Auditing with Field Study
• Reclamation with Field Study
• Global Information Systems (GIS) Applications with Field Study
• Waste Management with Field Study
• Co-Op Work Placement 200 hours

Golder Associates specialization Modules

• Module 1: Archaeology with Field Study
• Module 2: Terrestrial with Field Study
• Module 3: Fisheries & Water Quality with Field Study

Keyano College, in partnership with Golder Associates, have created the above Modules to foster student development with background knowledge and technical skills in an effort to enhance their work experience as Environmental Monitors.

Each of the three modules will begin with classroom session in which students will review regulatory information related to each discipline, become familiar with tools used for each type of study and be provided with pertinent background information and materials necessary for conducting specific activities related to the disciplines.

Hands-on field instruction will comprise the second component of each module. The field instruction will allow students to become familiar with how to use specific types of equipment, how to record information for each discipline and so on. While certain government regulations prohibit students from conducting studies on their own, such as archaeological field programs, the intent of the modules offered by Golder is to prepare students with basic applicable skill sets desired by consulting firms and industry for assisting with environmental studies. Upon completion of each module, students will be ready to participate in a work practicum and apply their new skills in the context of a real project. These skills may also be transferable to activities such as community-led monitoring programs and will serve to enhance the student's ability to review and interpret technical data.

• Canadian Citizen - preference may be given to First Nation, Métis or Non-status Aboriginal
• 18 years of age or older
• Grade 10 Applied or Pure Math
• English and Science 10 with 50% marks
• GED Equivalency will be accepted
• Unemployed, marginally or assessed as underemployed
• Committed (ready, willing and able) and motivated to complete training and work experience and maintain long-term employment
• Possesses Knowledge of Land Use or Traditional Ecological Knowledge
• Require employability, academic & occupational skills to become employed as an Environmental Monitor
• Must be physically fit
• Willing to undergo and able to pass an industry mandated drug and alcohol test.
• Two references: letters or contacts to comment on attendance and work ethics
• Current resume and transcripts
• Valid Class 5 Driver's License

• Beverly Knibb
• Cori Fulton
• Janet Lowndes