Service Industry & Food Production
Continuing Education Programming
AHLA Hospitality Training Courses
The AHLA (Alberta Hotel & Lodging Association) Hospitality Training Course is comprised of over 100 unique video assets and designed for those entering, and currently working in the hotel sector of the hospitality industry.
The courses use customized video assets created by The Studio at Olds College to guide the learner through the various modules. Learners will be required to watch a series of videos prior to proceeding with the assessments. This course, and accompanying videos, was developed with active leaders in the hospitality industry who were kind enough to lend their knowledge and experience to this training program.
Length of Program: Each course can be taken over a 60 day period.
Delivery: Online. Video-based learning. Classes start on the second Wednesday of each month.
Fees: $199 + GST per course
Animal Welfare & Humane Slaughter
What can you expect from the program/course?
This stand alone online program is designed as a cohesive overview of the theory and applications that relate to the slaughter of all species that are processed in Canada. The program is a great asset to new and experienced professionals in the industry to keep up with increasing humane slaughter continuing education requirements.
Length of Program: Each course can be taken over a 3 month span to fit in with your professional life.
Dates: Classes are offered four times per year: January, April, July, and October.
Fees: $499/person (with advance registration or full program registration)
Group Rates: (20 or more participants enrolled in the full Program at the same time) are available on request.
Craft Distilling
What can you expect from this program/course?
This program provides applicable and necessary hands-on training, and is committed to the promotion of sustainable production practices. Specific areas of instruction include fermentation theory and application, maturation and blending of spirits, sensory evaluation, and quality assurance and management in a distillery environment.
Dates: This five month program consists of four online courses, each four weeks long, finishing with a capstone 5-day blended field study and concurrent online class. The program runs from the beginning of May to the end of September.
- Distilling Quality Management
- Fermentation Theory
- Theory of Distillery Operations
- Blending, Maturation, and Sensory Evaluation of Spirits
- Practical Distilling (Directed Field Study) - ALL of the above courses must be completed prior to taking the field study
Length of Program: 4 Weeks/Course
Delivery: Blended Online with 1 week mandatory field school in a Distillery
Fees: $799 per course +GST
Growing Hops for Craft Brewing
In this one-day talk and tour, you will learn about how to select and grow hops for the craft brewing industry. Whether for yourself or as a business venture, there is great potential for growing hops in Alberta. Learn how to construct and maintain a hop yard as well as techniques for harvesting, processing, and packaging the hops for the end-user. The classroom session will be followed by a tour of the on-campus hop yard! Participants are advised to dress appropriately for the outdoor conditions.
Date: TBD
Cost: $179
Home Game Butchering
What can you expect from this program/course?
A great beginner course for anyone looking to cut and process their own game. Learn proper and efficient techniques that may be easily done from home. These skills will help you get the most out of your carcass. This course includes instruction on:
- Muscle Groups
- Seam Butchering
- Boning
- Carcass Breakdown
- Roast Tying Steak Cutting
- Wrapping
- Food Safety and Sanitation
Delivery: DH Custom Sausage - Rimbey, AB
Costs & Fees: $179 + GST
Course Dates:
March 18, 2023
March 25, 2023
April 1, 2023
April 8, 2023
April 15, 2023
April 22, 2023
April 29, 2023
May 6, 2023Home Sausage Making
This hands-on class is a perfect fit for someone looking to learn about sausage making production for home use. You will make five different sausage recipes, four fresh and one smoked.
Delivery: Olds Campus
Program Dates:
February 11, 2023
Fees: $179 + GST
Industrial Value Added Meat Processing
The Industrial Value-Added Meat Processing training covers the best practices for commercial business to meet the Canadian Food Inspection Agency Standards ( CFIA). This 22-hour hands-on course will cover topics including:
- Meat Science, Meat Block Selection
- Sausage Making, Casings
- Modern Meat Curing
- Learning about Equipment and Smokehouse set-up, Operation and Maintenance
- Fermented Sausage, Sous Vide
- CFIA Regulations for professionals in industry
Please note this course is for industrial/commercial professionals and applications. This is not a course for beginners in the industry.Dates: TBD
Cost: $499 +gst
Introduction to Brewing
What can you expect from this program?
This online introductory program prepares graduates for employment in the expanding brewery, microbrewery and brewpub industries. The program provides insight into brewing science and technology, recipe formulations, and packaging. Each course may be taken as a stand-alone course and when all five courses are completed successfully, the student will receive an Introduction to Brewing Certificate. This program includes instruction in brewing ingredients, equipment and technology, calculations, microbiology, and packaging.
Delivery: online
Dates: This program consists of 5 online courses, each is 7 weeks long.
- Brewing Ingredients
- Brewery Equipment and Technology
- Brewhouse Calculations and Recipe Formulation
- Brewing Microbiology
- Brewery Packaging
Fees: $543.12 per course + Required Texts

Related Programs
Full-Time Certificate, Diplomas & Degrees | Related Continuing Educations Courses |