Learn the guiding principles of tree management in sustainable urban ecosystems, this four month long program will equip you with current industry safety standards and practices while you hone your skills in the trees.
Led by industry trained instructors, you’ll have the opportunity to explore the life of trees by conducting ground and aerial operations, pruning and performing tree risk assessments. As the only program of its kind in Alberta, you’ll have the opportunity to gain valuable hands-on experience practicing your skills in our 12,000 square foot on campus Landscape Pavilion, along with Olds College of Agriculture & Technology's urban forest.
Upon successful completion of this program, graduates will receive a certificate in Arboriculture Technician.
Out of Province Applicants: Please refer to the Provincial Equivalency Chart for course equivalencies.
International Applicants: Olds College welcomes applications from International Applicants and those who have completed their high school education outside of Canada. Please note, it is still necessary to meet all of the noted admission requirements, including English Language Proficiency.
Alternate Admission status may be offered to applicants who have not or will not complete one of the academic admission requirements. To be considered under Alternate Admission Status, applicants will be asked to provide the following:
*Submitting Alternate Admission material does not guarantee admission*
Applicants currently in high school or who are completing academic upgrading must submit proof of enrollment and any available interim/midterm marks. Final marks must be submitted within one month following the completion of the course(s) and no later than one month prior to the program start date.
Olds College of Agriculture & Technology has developed agreements with other educational institutions to allow for transition to Olds College, or to another institution to continue your education. Articulations & Agreements
| Year | Tuition | Fees | Books & Supplies | Estimated Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $3,300.00 | $1,000.00 | $1,300.00 | $5,600.00 |
Olds College offers two residence options — Centennial Village and College Courts. Students living on campus are required to choose a meal plan. Housing and meal plan costs are based on the full academic year (September to April), but students in single-term programs will only pay for the corresponding term.
For more details, visit Dining at Olds College and Campus Housing.
For course descriptions and requisites, view the Academic Calendar.
Academic Calendar: Arboriculture Technician
For information on how to apply for government student loans, financial aid or for help with financial planning, visit our Student Funding page.
Olds College of Agriculture & Technology offers over 450 awards, valued at $500,000+ in scholarships, bursaries and prizes. Thanks to our industry partners, alumni, and friends of Olds College we are fortunate to offer a generous student awards program to students.
For additional information on scholarships, bursaries and prizes at Olds College, visit Scholarships & Awards
Entrance awards range from $250 - $1,500 for students applying for the upcoming academic year and have paid the tuition deposit by the deadline.
Awards are selected randomly from those that have applied and qualify based on the criteria.
Award will be applied as a tuition credit to the student's account after the add/drop course deadline, confirming full-time attendance.
Olds College of Agriculture & Technologyhas a solid reputation working with employers in the industry! This directly translates into jobs for our graduates. Opportunities include, but are not limited to:
Visit ALIS - Occupational Profiles to discover current wages, industry trends, and more about your future job.
Find out when your term start and end dates are, so that you know when you are expected to be in attendance. For more information, please review the Program Dates & Fee Schedule.
You will be registered into your classes automatically. This will happen approximately 1 month prior to the start-date for your program. You will be notified once you have been timetabled into your courses. You will be able to see your class schedule in your My Olds College account. If you need to make any changes to your class registration, please contact the Office of the Registrar.
It is strongly recommended that you come to Olds College of Agriculture & Technology with the following technology:
As part of your student accounts, all students have access to Office 365 for the duration of their time with Olds College. To access this you just need to follow these steps:
This will give you access to the full Office suite on your computer, for both Windows and Mac based platforms.
The following items are required to be purchased before the program starts:
Information on required textbooks and any further supplies will be provided as you attend each class. All books and supplies will be available during the first few weeks of classes in the College Campus Store.
Time Requirements: Students are typically in class for 3 or more hours, between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m., with occasional longer periods scheduled. Ample forewarning of extended days or field trips, times and dates will be provided, with the requirements for attending them. You will also be expected to complete assignments outside of regular classes that vary in their demands on your time. Commitments will vary with each course that you take, but a reasonable estimate would be 50 hours per week of effort, inclusive of class time.
Additional Skills: Basic computer skills are recommended for all and it is certainly beneficial to have some prior experience with computers before you arrive at the College. A familiarity and comfort in the use of Google products, word processing, spreadsheet and e-mailing software will be a definite asset. Students have the ability to take notes directly into their devices as the class proceeds. You will be schooled in other systems once you arrive and as need dictates. For example, the learning management system ‘Moodle’ is commonly used in the School of Life Science & Business and you will be introduced to its use and application in your very first classes.
Student Clubs: The Horticulture and Turf Clubs are examples of groups that offer an additional dimension to your Olds College experience. There are also a number of college sports teams, some of which participate at the inter-collegiate level while others are purely recreational.
Lockers: Lockers are available in the Land Sciences Building. All you need to do during your first few days at Olds is to select one without a lock and it’s yours for the duration. It is strongly recommend that you select a locker in the first week of classes because of high demand. You are required to provide your own lock and to register your locker
Connect directly with the recruitment team at Olds College to get personalized support as you explore your pathway to post-secondary study. Whether you have questions about programs, admission requirements, campus life or next steps in your application journey, our recruitment specialists are here to help you make informed decisions and plan with confidence.
Students receive hands‑on training in ground and aerial tree operations, pruning, tree risk assessments, and other arboriculture tasks in a 12,000‑square‑foot on‑campus Landscape Pavilion and the college’s urban forest.
Graduates may work as arborists, urban foresters, municipal parks employees, landscape maintenance workers, or owners/operators of tree‑care or arboriculture companies.
Applications for 2027-28 open Oct. 1, 2026, 9 a.m.
Get started — learn how to apply today!
Our easy online application process guides you through each step, making it simple to apply and get started. Start preparing now, and be ready to apply!
