Investing in the Future: Farm Credit Canada (FCC) supports Careers in Ag initiative

This summer, Farm Credit Canada (FCC) made a significant investment to promote careers in agriculture with a $200,000 contribution to AMC’s Careers in Ag initiative. The FCC funding is the largest single, non-governmental contribution made to support the initiative to date.

Careers in Ag, led by AMC, is a workforce development initiative and resource hub designed to attract talent to Canada’s agriculture and ag manufacturing sectors by highlighting diverse career paths and providing expert guidance.

“Canada’s agricultural manufacturers are at the forefront of innovation, productivity, and global competitiveness,” said Donna Boyd, President of Agricultural Manufacturers of Canada. “FCC’s generous support will help us ensure that the industry has access to the skilled talent it needs to thrive – both today, and into the future.”

The Careers in Ag initiative offers resources such as expert advice, articles, and scholarships, and uses tools like a mobile skills lab to showcase career opportunities through virtual reality and hands-on experiences. It connects job seekers with rewarding opportunities in agricultural manufacturing, one of Canada’s fastest-growing industries and largest employers.

“We need more people to be interested in working in agriculture in all facets of the industry,” says Klink. “AMC has some really good initiatives with young people, and this is a great fit for us.”

Thanks to FCC’s funding, Careers in Ag will expand its employer engagement, strengthen partnerships with educational institutions, and offer resources and programs that highlight the dynamic nature of careers in agricultural manufacturing – from engineering and technology to skilled trades and business operations.

Educating people about the wide variety of career opportunities in agriculture and cultivating awareness about those roles is important, says Todd Klink, FCC’s Executive Vice-President, Marketing and Public Affairs, as attracting people to work in the ag sector is a challenge for the industry as whole.

“We need more people to be interested in working in agriculture in all facets of the industry,” says Klink. “AMC has some really good initiatives with young people, and this is a great fit for us.”

One of the biggest challenges is that most people don’t tend to think about agriculture as a career opportunity. Other than traditional roles like farming and primary production, he says people don’t know enough about the agriculture and agri-food industry and the other types of jobs that are available.

“The ag sector offers so many opportunities,” says Klink. “But I don’t think it’s as top of mind as other sectors in our economy.” the best and the brightest to come work in ag.

Building awareness with high school and university students as they prepare for their future is important to FCC, which works with various colleges and universities across the country – some agriculture-specific and some not - to promote agriculture and the many career opportunities within it.

“Whichever faculty you might be in, there is a role for you in agriculture,” says Klink. “We need the best and the brightest to come work in ag.”

It’s an exciting time to work in agriculture, especially here at home. Canada is a global leader in food production, sustainability, and innovation. As one of the few countries that produces more than it can consume, Klink stresses the critical role that agriculture plays in Canada’s economy.

“This sector has such an amazing story to tell,” he says. “We need to teach people where their food comes from and how they can get involved and be part of our industry.”

Partnering with AMC was a great fit for FCC, which builds strong relationships and shares knowledge and expertise with more than

100,000 customers across the country, including AMC members and suppliers.

“Ag manufacturing is a super important industry in Canada,” says Klink. “We appreciate the valuable work that AMC is doing for the industry and for farmers in Canada.”

To learn more about the Careers in Ag initiative, visit www.careersinag.ca