It’s no secret that the B.C. craft beer scene continues to invade the market with 200 breweries since 2020 and an additional six new operations set to launch this year.
Some might say that a lot of BC’s success stems from calling a 4,500 square foot, custom-built teaching brewery, complete with state-of-the-art brewing and lab equipment—a top-tier environment to receive specialized training and comprehensive education for a brewing career – home; also known as Kwantlen Polytechnic University (KPU).
The Brewing and Brewery Operations (BBO) program was launched on the Langley campus in 2014.The full-time, two-year program takes in a maximum of 35 students per cohort every September. The brewing diploma curriculum emphasizes brewing science, quality control, and industry best practices and boasts a 95 percent employment rate.
“Originally, craft brewing was a lot of homebrewers, people just interested in brewing,” said Ashley Brooks, quality control manager at Four Winds Brewing and 2016 graduate from the program’s first cohort. “But when the KPU program began, it provided all the necessary skills summed up over two years in every aspect, such as science, sales and operations.”
“You graduate well-rounded, which helps accelerate your employability. Also, if you have already opened a craft brewery and you want to extend your knowledge, it’s a great opportunity.”
Brooks’ education in the industry first started with Surrey’s Big Ridge Brewing Co. as head brewer and now in her current position at Delta’s Four Winds Brewing.
”Grads who want work are having a lot of opportunities,” admits Brooks. “It’s a great place to search for high-calibre future employees. We (Four Winds) have had great success in hiring KPU grads, four to date, including myself. Word is getting out that students are graduating with a lot of knowledge, which are good prospects for breweries.”
The BBO program was developed in consultation with the BC Craft Brewers Guild and an Advisory Committee consisting of local brewmasters, brewery owners and industry experts, and taught by award-winning instructors with decades of brewing and beer industry experience.
“The instructors are excellent! Everybody brings something to the table that’s very beneficial,” reveals Brooks. “I found them incredibly helpful and resourceful, and great for making industry connections.”
“We definitely want to meet each other and help one another,” says Brooks. “I think it’s a very friendly and inclusive industry.”
“For women, I want them to know there’s nothing to be intimidated about,” she says. “I think the numbers are starting to change and more women are getting involved. In my experience at KPU, I found it inclusive, everyone was treated as equals, and everybody received the same amount of attention. I got a big boost of confidence, too.”
Photo courtesy of Kwantlen Polytechnic University