OCNews

With a growing number of cannabis retail outlets open or in progress across the province, Okanagan College is launching new training opportunities for those looking to gain a competitive edge in the cannabis retail job market.

Business manager Christopher Simpson has experienced a flood of interested applicants as he prepares to open Shire Green Cannabis in Prince George.

“Legal retail cannabis has been slow to roll out in B.C. but it is gaining momentum,” says Simpson. “Because the industry is privately funded, it’s important that companies get things right the first time. That translates to sky rocketing opportunities for skilled workers.”

Verifying experience in the cannabis industry prior to legalization can be difficult, so formal training is an important step to certify skills and training. Courses such as the College’s recently developed Recreational Cannabis Retail Sales were created to provide that training.

“This course is designed from the point of view of a manager of a licensed cannabis retail store,” says Simpson. Not only is he managing the opening of a retail business, Simpson also runs a cannabis consulting company and is a course developer and instructor for cannabis training with the College’s Continuing Studies and Corporate Training department.

“Hiring managers are looking for strong candidates with a demonstrated interest in self-education,” continues Simpson. “The training at Okanagan College is intended to provide students with the skills and knowledge that will help them stand out and succeed within cannabis retail sales.”

“We’ve worked with industry leaders to ensure that the courses we have developed – and are continuing to develop – are answering a very clear need. The focus is on bringing much needed training opportunities to people interested in the sector,” says Dr. Dennis Silvestrone, Director of Continuing Studies and Corporate Training. “Our goal is to be ahead of the curve and find innovative ways to serve workers and employers in the Okanagan Shuswap as the industry continues to mature.”

Recreational Cannabis Retail Sales training is an online course that begins on Feb. 17. The training is module-based with new topics to explore each week. Find all of the College’s cannabis training programs at okanagan.bc.ca/cannabistraining.