The Advanced Certificate in Culinary Arts is an approximately 45-week program designed to encompass SkilledTradesBC Levels 1 and 2 of Professional Cook training, with a 30-hour Capstone course at the end.
Students will perform all phases of kitchen activities including the preparation and presentation of vegetables, soups, sauces, meat, fish and poultry; cold kitchen items; desserts, baking, pastry; basic menu planning/costing as well as knowledge of safety, sanitation and food storage. Students will also gain valuable knowledge of customer service which will enable them to become leaders in their field. Level 1 starts in a fully supervised environment, performing basic cooking and food preparation tasks, while the Level 2 environment allows students a partially independent role in performing the same variety of tasks.
At the end of each level there is a SkilledTradesBC Certificate of Qualification (C of Q) exam. Upon successful completion of Professional Cook 1 Certificate of Qualification exam, students will receive 600 hours of work-based training. The remaining 400 of the required 1000 hours can be obtained through employment in any external agency providing food services while taking the Advanced Certificate program. Upon successful completion of Professional Cook 2 certificate of qualification exam, students will receive an additional 240 hours of accredited hours.
Students will only be eligible to write their C of Q for Professional Cook 2 at the completion of their full 1000 work-based training hours required of level 1. A total of 2000 work-based hours are required for the 2 levels.
The Capstone project (30 hours) is designed to demonstrate, and be evaluated as, a culmination of all things learned throughout the two levels. Activities will include a dining event demonstrating each individual’s skill at menu planning, dining setup, dining service, preparing quality food, delivery timing, and dining cleanup.
Career Prospects
Professional Cooks work in a variety of settings including: camps, institutional kitchens, family restaurants, hotels, cruise ships, ferry boats, resorts, nursing homes, hospitals, catering operations, and airlines.
Details
Intakes
| Location | Starting | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Dawson Creek | September | Cohort |
Length
1290 hours in total.
This is a 16-month program; year one is approximately 32 weeks long and year two is approximately 16 weeks long.
Estimated Program Fees
Program fee type: Trades/Apprenticeship (Tier 2)
Costs indicated are estimates for a full-time course load.
Book, instruments, supplies, uniforms/clothing and third-party fees are additional.
Domestic Fees
| Tuition | Student Fees | Instruction-related Fees (includes GST) | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $ 2,872.80 | $ 155.76 | $ 1,110.92 | $ 4,139.48 |
| Year 2 (estimated) | $ 1,539.00 | $ 79.38 | $ 0.00 | $ 1,618.38 |
International Fees
| Tuition | Student Fees | Instruction-related Fees (includes GST) | International Medical Insurance | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $ 10,323.60 | $ 155.76 | $ 1,110.92 | $ 828.00 | $ 12,418.28 |
| Year 2 (estimated) | $ 6,304.50 | $ 80.96 | $ 0.00 | $ 276.00 | $ 6,661.46 |
Still have questions?
Contact:
- info@nlc.bc.ca if you are in Canada
- info@international.nlc.bc.ca if you are outside of Canada
- trades@nlc.bc.ca if you are currently an NLC student
Admission Requirements
Complete either A, B, C, or D:
A. English and Math
English Requirement
One of the following:
- BC Language Arts 10 Courses – 4 credits earned, minimum individual grade of C+, or equivalent.
- BC Language Arts 11 Courses – 4 credits earned, minimum individual grade of C+, or equivalent.
- BC Language Arts 12 Courses – 4 credits earned, minimum individual grade of C+, or equivalent.
- ENGL 030 or higher, with a minimum final grade of C+, or equivalent.
- IELTS score of 5.5 overall with no band less than 5.0 or equivalent English placement test and score.
Math Requirement
One of the following:
- BC Math 10 with a minimum final grade of C+, or equivalent
- BC Math 11 with a minimum final grade of C, or equivalent
- BC Math 12 with a minimum final grade of C, or equivalent
- MATH 030 or higher, with a minimum final grade of C+, or equivalent.
B. ESTR 037
Complete:
- ESTR 037 – Essential Skills for Trades – Intermediate Level with a minimum final grade of 67%.
C. Canadian Adult Achievement Test (CAAT)
All of:
- Reading Comprehension: 11.0 grade equivalent or higher
- Number Operations: 11.0 grade equivalent or higher
- Problem Solving: 11.0 grade equivalent or higher
Based on the results of the assessment(s), applicants may be required to participate in an assessment interview to determine admissibility. Interviews may be conducted virtually if necessary.
D. POWER
Complete:
- People Obtaining Workplace Employment Requirements (POWER) program
Post-Admission Requirements
After being accepted into the program but before classes begin, students will be required to provide proof of the following certification:
• FoodSafe Level 1
* All certificates must be valid for the term of the program. Failure to provide proof will result in removal from the kitchen environment until provided.
Important Notes
- The program is eligible for Canada Student Loans. Visit Student Aid BC to apply for financial assistance online. Note that dual credit students are not eligible for Student Aid.
- Students are required to have a computer (laptop or other mobile device) with minimum computer requirements.
- The program is affiliated with SkilledTradesBC, School Districts 59, 60, 81 and 87, and Go 2 (Industry training organization who monitors all hospitality type industry training for SkilledTradesBC).
Program Requirements
| Residency Requirement | 100% of each level must be completed at Northern Lights College or by approval of the Dean |
|---|---|
| Minimum Grade Requirements | 70% minimum in all courses |
- First-year courses:
- PCOI 102 – Professional Cook 1 Institution Entry (840 contact hours)
- Second-year courses:
- PCOI 202 – Professional Cook 2 Institutional Entry (420 contact hours)
- PCOI 290 – Culinary Arts Capstone (30 contact hours)
Credential
Advanced Certificate in Culinary Arts