NWP program focuses on farming locally
Northwestern Polytechnic will begin offering an Agriculture Operations diploma in November.
The two-year program is geared toward anyone looking to start working in the agricultural sector.
“I definitely think people who grew up on a farm and want a bit more dedicated learning on things like GPS, drones and pesticide application all of those things, but also for people who maybe don't have that life experience, but they're interested in agriculture and want to go work on a farm,” said Vanessa Sheane, NWP president and CEO.
“This will give them everything they need before they go out on those work experiences.”
The program will cover various topics, including farm equipment operation and maintenance, teamwork and leadership, hauling and transporting grains and livestock, evolving technology and trends, productivity and ethical land and animal practices, and farm safety.
Sheane said the program will look at grain production and livestock but will not be too specific to any one type of farming.
The new diploma program will include “ two extensive work terms,” allowing students to gain experience from growers, animal handlers and other agricultural professionals.
Students will gain more specific information about what they want to learn through the work placements, said Sheane.
“Our new diploma pathway provides a great balance of theoretical and practical knowledge for aspiring grain and livestock professionals,” said Brian Redmond, NWP Dean of Applied Science and Technology.
“We recognize the significant opportunity for impact locally and are committed to working with our partners on productive solutions in this space.”
The diploma program will also cover the same information as the first-period apprenticeship program for agricultural equipment technicians, and NWP is working on getting approval so that students who take the Agriculture Operations diploma can also write their first-year apprenticeship exam.
“It's just another potential pathway for students who start this program and maybe decide they want to do the mechanic route, and they've got that first period under their belt,” said Sheane.
She said the program is unique in how it combines classroom, shop, and work experience.
“Generally, from November 1 until March 31, students will be with us on our campus, learning in the classroom and shop spaces and on the farm and then from April 1 until October 31, they will be out on a work experience placement, so that's working on a full functioning farm grain or livestock.”
In the second year, they will repeat a similar schedule.
Sheane says the diploma program will include Class 1 driver training, focusing on agricultural transportation, which includes classroom and road instruction.
“Agriculture is a time-honoured profession that is transforming at an impressive rate with the benefit of technological advances and process improvements,” said Sheane.
“We are looking forward to equipping graduates with skills for modern agriculture and farm operations and to helping address the workforce challenges being felt across our signature industries.”
The program will be offered through the NWP Fairview campus.
NWP says applications for the Agriculture Operations position will open soon. More information can be found at NWP.me/Agriculture.
Jesse Boily, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Town & Country News
