SASKATOON — Many industry sectors are having trouble finding skilled workers in today’s labour market.
Prairie agricultural equipment manufacturers, which are often located in smaller communities, are feeling that pinch as severely as anyone.
The Agricultural Manufacturers of Canada (AMC), an association representing that industry, has been working on behalf of its membership to address the problem.
In a joint announcement, AMC and the Saskatchewan government unveiled a new program to help encourage people to consider careers in agriculture and agricultural equipment manufacturing.
A new high-tech “Careers in Ag Mobile Skills Lab” will begin a summer tour of Saskatchewan at Ag in Motion July 16 to 18 to help develop a “talent pipeline” for ag and ag equipment manufacturing.
The program is getting $300,000 from the Saskatchewan government.
According to the announcement, the Careers in Ag Mobile Skills Lab will utilize “virtual reality technology and other educational tools across multiple experiential learning stations. Individuals will have the unique opportunity to fully immerse themselves in the experience of a career in this dynamic industry.”
While AMC specifically represents ag equipment manufacturers, ag equipment dealers might benefit from this initiative as well. Dealers have also been vocal about the difficulty they’ve had in recruiting employees, especially skilled technicians.
“Without question, this is one of the largest challenges our industry is facing,” COO and President of the North American Equipment Dealers Association (NAEDA) John Schmeiser said late last year. “We survey our dealers once a year about what’s keeping them awake at night when it comes to workforce development, .
“In that same survey, based on our dealers ‘existing capacity without building a larger shop, every dealer would take three to five mechanics right now if they could find them. When you multiply that by 400 locations in Western Canada alone, it’s a shortage of what we need right now of 1,000, perhaps 1,500. That’s dealing with today’s needs, not taking into consideration what the future needs would be as well as attrition rates of older folks retiring or moving on to other industries.”
The Careers in Ag Mobile Skills Lab will make stops in several communities, visiting schools, career fairs and trade shows to showcase career opportunities. It will also focus on those already involved in the ag equipment industry to promote professional development opportunities.
“Agricultural manufacturers play an important role in driving our provincial economy and employ people in communities across Saskatchewan,” said Minister of Immigration and Career Training Jeremy Harrison in the release. “Saskatchewan is a leader in innovative agriculture and this investment ensures that agricultural equipment manufacturers will continue to attract the talent needed to support their growth.”
As newer generations enter the workforce and older ones slowly move into retirement, popular career interests tend to change. So, the Mobile Skills Lab will be a tool to promote enthusiasm for the ag equipment manufacturing industry and point out the benefits of working in it.
“Attracting the next generation of Canada’s workforce requires key messaging and engaging projects that speak to the minds and hearts of that talent,” said AMC President Donna Boyd. “From long-term career stability to protecting the environment and ensuring global food security, our industry has proven itself to be an ideal match for any Canadian looking for a stable and exciting career. AMC is proud to address the needs of our members and the industry at large with the Careers in Ag initiative. In working with the Saskatchewan Government to build and launch the Mobile Skills Lab, we are making great strides in matching our industry’s growth with the talented workforce it needs to sustain it.”
