Saskatchewan invests $300K in agricultural manufacturing initiative

The Saskatchewan government is helping the Agricultural Manufacturers of Canada (AMC) as that organization tries to grow the workforce in that sector.

The province announced Thursday it had invested $300,000 to help the AMC create a mobile, virtual-reality skills lab. The lab is to visit school campuses and community events to promote job opportunities in the agricultural manufacturing industry.

“This investment will allow individuals to fully experience what an in-demand career in the industry looks like through the assistance of virtual reality,” the media release said.

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The Ministry of Agriculture said over the past five years, agriculture manufacturing exports from the province have increased from $364.2 million in 2019 to a record high of $853 million last year.

“Our provincial agriculture manufacturers are some of the most competitive and innovative businesses you will find anywhere,” Agriculture Minister David Marit said in the release.

“When dollars are spent in markets around the world on dry land agriculture equipment, the Saskatchewan brand is in demand. This investment ensures people can connect with rewarding careers in the ag sector and keep our international reputation growing.”

The mobile skills lab is to travel across Saskatchewan throughout the summer to promote careers in the industry to students, parents and teachers. It also will outline professional development opportunities to people who already working in the sector.

“Our industry has seen exponential growth and the demand for talent is unprecedented,” AMC president Donna Boyd said in the release. “A career in agriculture offers the opportunity to be one of the most successful industries in Canada — one which protects the environment, ensures global food security and fuels the future of food through innovation.

“AMC is directly addressing the needs of our members and our industry through the Careers in Ag initiative and we are proud that the Government of Saskatchewan supports the quest to attract and incentivize people into our sector through the investment in our Mobile Skills Lab.”