The Ontario and federal governments through the Canadian Agricultural Partnership will give money to support labour and training needs in the farming sector, the Ontario government says in a news release on Oct. 2. This includes more than $180,000 for the development of a new college program which will provide education and training in the latest agricultural equipment.
“Access to skilled labour is critical on farms and in processing facilities and this pilot program will help farmers meet their labour needs while allowing more Canadians to obtain meaningful and challenging employment in the agricultural and agri-food sector,” Marie-Claude Bibeau, federal minister of agriculture and agri-food, says in the release.
Conestoga College will create, launch and deliver a pilot program to expand the training opportunities for current farm sector employees and better prepare those interested in careers in agriculture to work on farms in key areas, the release notes. Students will learn skilled trades in high demand areas such as spraying and fertilizing operations, custom tillage and harvesting operations.
