According to an article dated 2005 (see
http://www.rareinnature.com/news/52), the "Government of the Northwest
Territories (GNWT) has taken the lead and implemented the world?s
first and only occupational standards and certification program for
diamond cutters and polishers." The article also claims that this
program is "the first of its kind in Canada," I believe because of the
carefully designed certification requirements and the government
involvement. Since the program is fairly new (established early
2000s), it is probably the only English-language program of its kind
in Canada, unless another program has been started in the last two or
three years.
In a government report from September 2003, called Towards a National
Diamond Strategy, the Aurora College program is one of only two such
Canadian programs referenced specifically: see page 35 in this PDF
online:
www.pdac.ca/pdac/advocacy/diamonds/0309-towards-nds.pdf
The other diamond cutting and polishing program is offered by the
Groupe Collegia, at the CEGEP in Matane, Quebec. (CEGEPs are unique to
the Quebec post-secondary system; high school grads must attend CEGEP
before they can enter standard university degree programs.) The
document above notes the length of this course as 1+ years. However,
this program will likely be of interest to you only if you speak/write
French fluently. But, just in case, here is the toll-free number to
call for information: 1-800-463-4299. Here is a link to the March 2006
bulletin (again, in a PDF file and also in French) of the Matane
CEGEP, in which there is a short article (second page) on an event
relating to the program, with a very brief description of the program
at the bottom of the column:
http://www.cegep-matane.qc.ca/images/Upload/270306.pdf
Again, it is always possible that a new program has recently been
started elsewhere in Canada, but I haven't found any hint of that so
far.
Good luck! |
