Trade Programs: Pork Production Technician

For more information about this trade, contact the training co-ordinator.

What does a pork production technician do?

A pork production technician is a person who is certified to handle and care for pigs in the breeding, farrowing, nursery, grow/finish stages of pork production. They are responsible for the general care of pigs in a pork production facility. Overall duties include caring for the breeding herd and growing pigs in their development from birth to market specifically:

• the feeding and watering of pigs
• pig health care and stockmanship
• ensuring a safe and sanitary barn environment

What skills/abilities are required?

As pork production technicians are involved in all aspects of care from breeding, gestation and farrowing, to weaning and finishing, potential apprentices should enjoy working with animals and be able to adapt to change.

Individuals considering a career in this trade must have a keen sense of observation and teamwork skills. Attention to detail is important, as careful record keeping is essential for the effective and safe functioning of a barn facility. Certified pork production technicians must also have a desire to move into positions requiring more responsibility in the pork production barn or pork production support industry.

How long is the apprenticeship program?

The apprenticeship is two years of two levels. Practical and technical training is a minimum of 1800 hours per level. About 80 per cent of the time is spent learning practical on-the-job skills under the supervision of a certified journeyperson and 20 per cent consists of learning the theoretical and technical aspects of the trade through in-school training.

What is taught during in-school/technical training?

You must complete technical training during the two-year apprenticeship. Each year there are three terms consisting of home study materials and classroom instruction delivered on a regional basis. Courses are designed to provide the knowledge, attitudes and skills required for success in this occupation. At the completion of each term, apprentices write a multiple-choice examination and must score 70 per cent or better to progress to the next term level. The number of apprentices and their work location determines the instruction site.

In the first year apprentices learn about the structure of the pork production industry, basic stockmanship, communications, bio-security, health and safety, record keeping systems and interpretation of records.

In the second year of the apprenticeship, apprentices receive advanced instruction regarding occupational health and safety, pig health care, breeding/gestation and farrowing, growing and finishing of hogs and operating facility systems.

What is the supervision ratio?

As experience comprises the bulk of apprenticeship training, it is essential that each apprentice has on-site access to a skilled journeyperson and receives the attention and guidance necessary to perform the tasks of the trade safely and efficiently.

For every apprentice working in this trade, the employer is required to maintain a 1:1 ratio of apprentices to journeypersons on-site and must ensure that the apprentice is directly supervised by a certified journeyperson in the trade.

What are the entrance requirements?

Senior Years Apprenticeship Option: Begin your apprenticeship training in high school. A minimum age of 16 years in required.

General Admission: A Grade 12 or equivalent high school academic standing is required including recommended courses in Math. If you are 19 years or older and do not hold a high school diploma, you can also qualify as a Mature Student. Prior Learning Recognition and Assessment may be required.

Trades Qualification: If you are experienced in the trade, but do not hold a Certificate of Qualification, you may become a certified journeyperson based on years of proven industry experience and successful completion of the Red Seal Examination. A Trades Qualification Application and trade specific work experience form must be submitted. Trades professionals whose entrance readiness is less than that required, must take appropriate upgrading.

For additional details on entrance requirements and how to begin your apprenticeship or obtain certification, see section on "How to Start".

Do I get a certificate?

When you successfully complete all your required levels of practical experience and technical training, you write an interprovincial examination. You must score at least 70 per cent or better to qualify for a “Red Seal” endorsed interprovincial certificate confirming your status as a certified journeyperson.

Your “Red Seal” endorsed Certificate of Qualification as a journeyperson in this trade is recognized throughout Canada.

What salary can I expect as an apprentice?

Manitoba’s Pork Production Regulation states that the rate of wages for an apprentice shall not be less than the provincial minimum wage plus:

• 10 per cent during level one
• 20 per cent during level two

If an apprentice is working in a barn where there is a more favourable payment agreement, then the wages stated in the agreement will apply. Most employers pay higher wages.

Employers may also provide other benefits such as group insurance for health, dental and vision care and training benefits. In total, the value of the benefits can range from 20 per cent to 30 per cent over and above the basic hourly pay rate.

Current wage details are available by downloading the training wage schedule

What are the career prospects?

Employment opportunities in the pork production industry exist in the areas of breeding, farrowing, nursery and grow/finish. As pork production technicians gain experience they will find opportunity to move into managerial, administrative and technical support positions.