KALAMAZOO, Mich. – Kalamazoo Valley Community College continues to expand its academic offerings for students interested in future-focused industries. The college recently announced the addition of three cannabis certificates designed to provide job skills training for those interested in a cannabis career.

According to Business Wire, cannabis is the fastest growing industry in America. To address the critical need for workers in the industry, Kalamazoo Valley has partnered with Green Flower, a leader in cannabis education, to offer these in-demand programs.

“The cannabis industry is creating thousands of career opportunities in Michigan and, yet nationally, a significant shortage of qualified professionals exists,” said Craig Jbara, vice president for strategic and business development at Kalamazoo Valley.

The training program provides participants with the advanced job skills and knowledge needed to excel in the industry. Three different certifications are available: Advanced Provisioning Center Associate, Cultivation Technician and Manufacturing Agent.

“The market continues to increase with new retailers requiring trained employees,” Jbara said. “These programs are designed to give participants the foundational knowledge needed to work in the rapidly expanding cannabis industry. Similar training programs across the country have proven to be very successful for employers.”

The Advanced Provisioning Center Associate certificate program helps retail cannabis professionals:

• Drive higher-quality retail interactions
• Deliver better customer outcomes
• Boost customer satisfaction
• Maintain operational efficiency standards
• Capture customer loyalty

Meanwhile, the Cultivation Technician certificate program teaches participants how to:

• Understand agricultural cannabis techniques
• Optimize the grow environment
• Monitor and adjust nutrient levels
• Incorporate post-harvest best practices
• Eliminate potential pests or diseases

The third certificate program, Manufacturing Agent, shows cannabis manufacturing professionals how to:

• Understand the best extraction processes and principles
• Deploy a variety of extraction methods to achieve a specific end result
• Incorporate data-driven analysis for process optimization
• Understand and mitigate potential environmental impacts of cannabis extraction
• Formulate consistent, cannabis-infused products

Each eight-week certificate program costs $900, and registration opens Feb. 15. For employers sending more than five participants or for individuals wishing to self-pay and take more than one program, a $100 discount is offered.

After the successful completion of the virtual training units and a final exam, participants will earn a Certificate of Completion from Kalamazoo Valley Community College as well as a national certification from Green Flower.

For more information, visit www.kvcc.edu/cannabis or contact Kate Miller at kmiller1@kvcc.edu or 269.353.1257.

About Kalamazoo Valley Community College

Established in 1966, Kalamazoo Valley Community College offers certificate programs in more than 50 areas of study and associate degrees in 60 others. These include business, healthcare, human and public service, and technical occupations, culinary arts and brewing training. It has four Kalamazoo, Mich., locations, including the Texas Township Campus, the Groves Campus, the Arcadia Commons Campus and the Bronson Healthy Living Campus. Classes are available during the day, evening, online and weekends.