Why choose the Dairy Herdsperson Apprenticeship Program?
Choose our Dairy Herdsperson Apprenticeship Program to gain hands-on experience and in-depth training in cow care. The program offers practical, on-farm learning combined with classroom instruction, covering essential skills like herd health, nutrition, and barn maintenance. This comprehensive approach equips you with the expertise needed for a successful career in dairy management.
90% On-Farm Training
5,520 hours of on-farm training with your employer are required, following the Apprenticeship Training Standard which describes the skills you must become competent in to complete your training.
10% In-School Training
480 hours of in-school training is required, which will focus primarily on the theory you need to support the skills in the Apprenticeship Training Standard.
Apply in 3 steps
Once you are working and your employer has agreed to sponsor you as an apprentice, you will need to Apply for an apprenticeship through Skills Trades Ontario.
Once approved, you and your sponsor will sign a Training Agreement, officially registering you as an apprentice.
After you are a registered apprentice, you will receive an Offer of Classroom Training letter from the Ministry of Labour, Training, and Skills Development.
Once you have received an offer for in class training from the Ministry, Ridgetown Campus will send you a confirmation and instructions on next steps.
Application Requirements
To become an apprentice Dairy Herdsperson, you need to complete your Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) or Ministry-approved equivalent. Credits in math, science, and communications are helpful. Some knowledge of agriculture is also beneficial.
Apprentices must be registered with Skilled Trades Ontario and have an employer who agrees to sponsor your apprenticeship training. If you are interested in becoming an apprentice or need help finding a sponsor, you can review the resources available at Skilled Trades Ontario .
Note: Dairy Herdsperson is a voluntary certified trade and you do not require a Certificate of Apprenticeship to work in this trade. However, an apprenticeship will increase your knowledge and your opportunities.
Modules
- 480 hours of in-school training is required, which will focus primarily on the theory you need to support the skills in the Apprenticeship Training Standard
- The in-school training component is delivered, in-person, by the University of Guelph, Ridgetown Campus
- You must attend sixteen, one-week blocks during your apprenticeship period. The four-day blocks are scheduled once per month, from August to March, over a two-year period, usually the first or second week of the month
- Modules include:
- Applied Farm Practices
- Milking Practices
- Feeding Practices
- Herd Health Maintenance
- Routine Herd Maintenance
- Farm Mechanical and Electrical Systems – Basic Maintenance
- Farm Mechanical Equipment – Basic Maintenance
Fees
Year 1 Approximate Costs
| Student Fees | $400.00 |
| Additional Certification Fees | $400.00 |
| Field Trip Fees | $775.00 |
Year 2 Approximate Costs
| Student Fees | $400.00 |
| Additional Certification Fees | $400.00 |
| Field Trip Fees | $775.00 |
What people are saying about the Dairy Herdsperson Apprenticeship program
"The new breeding skills I developed in the program were valuable to the farm and were reflected in a pay increase."
McKenna Morrison
2024 Graduate- Dairy Herdsperson Apprenticeship
"The Dairy Herdsperson Apprenticeship Program is an excellent opportunity for individuals to learn practical, hands on skills for the dairy industry. It is an excellent alternative opportunity for those individuals who are looking for an alternative to a traditional diploma. In this course, you work with the Ministry of Labour, and a sponsoring dairy farm while also taking training in pesticide handling, nutrient management, artificial insemination, hoof trimming, and other skills important to the operation of a dairy farm. "
Joe Dickenson
Dairy Herdsperson Apprenticeship Program Coordinator
This Employment Ontario program is funded in part by the Government of Canada and the Government of Ontario.