Chatham-Kent’s Community Attraction and Promotion (CAP) and Economic Development & Tourism Services will host an Agriculture Career Day on November 20, 2024, for Specialist High Skills Major (SHSM) students from the Lambton Kent District School Board, St. Clair Catholic District School Board, and Conseil scolaire catholique Providence.
This immersive career exploration event connects students and teachers with leading agricultural businesses, including Agris Co-operative Inc., Delta Power Equipment, Devolder Farms, and Truly Green Farms, who will each host two workplace tours.
Students will gain firsthand insights into workplace operations, the skills required in the industry, and potential career and student placement opportunities.
The SHSM program is a specialized high school initiative that allows students to earn their Ontario Secondary School Diploma while focusing on the agriculture sector. A critical component of the program includes co-op placements with local agricultural businesses, offering real-world experience.
The Agriculture Career Day helps bridge the gap between students’ education and careers opportunity in Chatham-Kent. “Research shows there will be an estimated 17,600 job openings in our community between 2023 and 2031, including 1,587 jobs in the agriculture sector,” said Teresa Fysh, Talent Attraction and Retention Coordinator for CAP, in a media release.
“By connecting students with employers, we aim to inspire them to build their careers locally, bring their talents back to grow our community and economy.”
The event highlights the wide range of career opportunities within agriculture, spanning skilled trades, animal and plant sciences, business management, as well as cutting-edge roles in STEM, automation, and artificial intelligence.
“This event showcases the innovation within Chatham-Kent’s local $4 billion+ agriculture and agri-food sector while helping youth explore career possibilities and identify their best fit in the industry,” added Sean Columbus, Chatham-Kent Economic Development Officer.
By engaging with local employers, students will not only broaden their understanding of career opportunities but also gain practical knowledge about hiring processes and workplace expectations.
This experience helps prepare them for their transition to the workforce while encouraging them to contribute their talents to the Chatham-Kent community.
