The demand to address challenges to the agriculture labour market inspired a new apprenticeship-style program at Lakeland College.
Lakeland’s agri sales and customer relations certificate program will attract new agricultural sales professionals and support the industry in growing its talent by providing in-demand skill training.
“We are excited to grow our agricultural sciences programming with the agri sales and customer relations certificate program as a solution to the declining pool of agricultural sales professionals,” says Geoff Brown, dean of Lakeland’s School of Agricultural Sciences.
“This program was developed in partnership with industry with the goal of improving results of agri sales professionals. Often, new entrants into the agri sales and customer relations sector have subject matter expertise, but don’t receive specific job training to help them be successful in sales. This program provides that guidance and is offered while students are on the job.”
The 12-month program is a blend of online study and on-the-job training, including 1,100 hours of meaningful mentorship during two work placements.
Over six modules, students will develop work-ready knowledge and skills in sales orientation, responsibilities in sales, prospecting for customers, negotiations, guerilla and word-of-mouth marketing, sales ethics, presentations and meetings, online sales and developing a sales force.
“Through the learning outcomes of Lakeland’s hands-on learning model, we are keen on delivering a program that improves efficiency, business profitability and employee job satisfaction and retention,” says Cole Ambrock, program head, agri sales and customer relations certificate program.
As a lead collaborator, the United Farmers of Alberta (UFA) Co-operative Limited was instrumental in the development of the agri sales and customer relations certificate program. UFA has employed graduates of Lakeland College for many years.
“As a co-operative who serves farmers and ranchers across the province, a strong knowledge base for our sales team is imperative. The collaborative effort of Lakeland College in recognizing the importance of this on-the-job training should be commended in getting a certificate program like this launched. We, in fact, will be using this program to set the foundation for many of our aspiring team members,” says Brett Yeske, director, Sales & Service, UFA.
A flagship initiative of Alberta 2030: Building Skills for Jobs Strategy, the program’s apprenticeship approach offers training on the job, guided by a workplace mentor, that advances Alberta’s economic recovery by enabling workers to stay on the job while the specific knowledge and skills they develop are recognized with post-secondary certification.
The program is aimed at preparing individuals for positions with:
- Equipment and machinery dealers
- Crop input companies
- Grain buyers and marketers
- Agricultural retailers
- Livestock feed and nutrient suppliers
- Providers of agricultural technology
Original source can be found here.
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