Dec 05, 2025  
2025-2026 Academic Calendar 
    
2025-2026 Academic Calendar

Professional Cook 1 Indigenous Content Direct Entry


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The Professional Cook 1 Indigenous Content program follows Skilled Trades BC prescribed course curriculum focusing on Indigenous content. Students will learn about the traditions and history of food sources, including foraging and gathering, and the preparation methods used in the Indigenous tradition. They will also explore medicinal properties of food, as well as food storage and preservation methods.

Students will perform all required 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.

They will also gain valuable knowledge of human and customer relations enabling them to become leaders in their field. Level 1 starts in a fully supervised environment performing basic cooking and food preparation tasks. There is a standardized Skilled Trades BC exam upon completion of this level.


The information on this program page is a summary of the official Program Information and Completion Guide approved by NLC’s Education Council, effective September 2026. (Current Program Information and Completion Guide)


 

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 Level Starting Type
Dawson Creek 1 not scheduled Cohort   

Length


Level 1 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

  Tuition Student Fees Instruction-related
Fees (includes GST)
Total
Level 1 $ 640.80 $ 68.09 $ 156.78 $ 865.67

International Fees

  Tuition Student Fees Instruction-related
Fees (includes GST)
International
Medical Insurance
Total
Year 1 $ 2,647.80 $ 72.21 $ 156.78 $ 289.80* $ 3,166.59

*Per four months

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Admission Requirements


Eligibility as indicated by SkilledTradesBC.

Post-Admission Requirements


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


  1. The program is not eligible for Canada Student Loans.

  2. 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 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

Credential


Training results are reported to SkilledTradesBC

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