# Professional Cook Direct Entry

The Professional Cook program follows SkilledTradesBC prescribed course curriculum for direct entry to Professional Cook levels 1, 2, or 3. 

Learners 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. Learners will also gain valuable knowledge of human and customer relations which will enable them to become leaders in their field. 

Level 1 starts learners in a fully supervised environment performing basic cooking and food preparation tasks. There is a standardized SkilledTradesBC exam upon completion of this level.

Learners will move to partially independent tasking in level 2, performing a variety of cooking and food preparation. There are standardized SkilledTradesBC exams upon completion of this level, accompanied by the work-based training hours necessary for SkilledTradesBC Level Certifications.

Learners complete their final level of study working under limited supervision and gain competency in the major techniques and principles of cooking, baking and other aspects of food preparation. Upon successful completion of the six-week level 3 component, students will be eligible to write the Inter-Provincial exam. Successful completion of this examination, along with required the practical and work-based hours, will grant the learner a Red Seal Journeyperson status which is globally recognized in this industry. For more information about Inter-Provincial Standard Endorsement (Red Seal) visit www.red-seal.ca.

The information on this program page is a summary of the official Program Information and Completion Guide approved by NLC’s Education Council:
Level 1: Effective September 2026. (Current Program Information and Completion Guide)
Level 2: Effective September 2026. (Current Program Information and Completion Guide)
Level 3: Effective September 2019.

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

LocationLevelStartingTypeDawson Creek1not scheduledCohort Dawson Creek2November 2026Cohort Dawson Creek3not scheduledCohort 

Length

Level 1 is 180 hours; approximately 6 weeks long.
Level 2 is 180 hours; approximately 6 weeks long.
Level 3 is 180 hours; approximately 6 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

 TuitionStudent FeesInstruction-related
FeesTotalLevel 1$ 672.84$ 69.23$ 159.90$ 901.97Level 2$ 672.84$ 69.23$ 365.67$ 1,107.74Level 3$ 672.84$ 69.23$ 365.67$ 1,107.74

International Fees

 TuitionStudent FeesInstruction-related
FeesInternational
Medical InsuranceTotalLevel 1$ 2,781.00$ 69.23$ 159.90$ 289.80*$ 3,299.93Level 2$ 2,781.00$ 69.23$ 365.67$ 289.80*$ 3,505.70Level 3$ 2,781.00$ 69.23$ 365.67$ 289.80*$ 3,505.70

*Per four months

Still have questions?

Contact:

info@nlc.bc.ca if you are a domestic student

info@international.nlc.bc.ca if you are an international student

trades@nlc.bc.ca  if you are currently an NLC student

Admission Requirements

Level 1: Eligibility as indicated by SkilledTradesBC.
Level 2: Eligibility as indicated by SkilledTradesBC.
Level 3: Successful completion of PCOI 202 or equivalent as indicated by SkilledTradesBC.

Post-Admission Requirements

One month prior to the start of the program, students will be required to provide proof of the following certification:
• Foodsafe Level 1
Certificate must be valid for the duration of the program. Failure to provide proof may result in dismissal from the program.

Important Notes

The program is not eligible for Canada Student Loans.

The program is affiliated with SkilledTradesBC, School District 59, 60, 81 and 87, Northern Alberta Institute of Technology, and Go 2 (Industry training organization who monitors all hospitality type industry for the SkilledTradesBC)

Students are required to have a computer (laptop or other mobile device) with minimum computer requirements.

Program Requirements

Residency Requirement100% of each level must be completed at Northern Lights College or by approval of the DeanMinimum Grade Requirements70% minimum in all courses

Levels: 

PCOD 100 - Professional Cook 1 Direct Entry (180 contact hours)

PCOD 200 - Professional Cook 2 Direct Entry (180 contact hours)

PCOD 300 - Professional Cook 3 Direct Entry (180 contact hours)

Credential

Training results are reported to SkilledTradesBC