Grounded in AgTM and AgCareers have partnered to create Ag Onboarding Academy to address the experience and market knowledge gap that many employees and new hires in the industry today have since fewer have lived on farms, studied agriculture in college or worked in the industry.
“Our latest analysis indicates nearly 40 percent of AgCareers.com’s job applicants do not have an ag-based education, and 30 percent of them are not currently working in agriculture,” said Bonnie Johnson, Marketing & Communications Manager, AgCareers. “By expanding access to onboarding resources, we can help employers enhance the experience for employees and strengthen their teams over time.”
“Good onboarding is one of the simplest and most effective ways to help someone feel welcome, confident and capable in a new role,” said Janice Person, founder of Grounded in Ag. “Helping people understand and appreciate agriculture and the farmers many of us serve is the focus of our programming. Participants hear directly from trusted farmers and experts who impart expertise in the business, farm practices and culture as they deliver the lessons. This collaboration with AgCareers makes practical training tools more accessible so more businesses can add that industry lens, improve understanding, and set employees up for success.”
Audio soundbite from Janice Person (:56)
Person will also be speaking about upskilling at the AgCareers Agriculture and Food Roundtable Conference this summer, where workforce development, retention, and employee readiness will be among the topics of discussion.
The Ag Onboarding Academy features lessons from farmers and ag professionals, as well as course combinations that provide foundational knowledge about agriculture and farming. All courses are delivered via videos (web & app), which are paired with downloadables, quizzes and vetted resources.
There are additional packages available via Grounded in Ag that provide greater depth of knowledge by focusing on specific commodities. A free preview is available for people interested in learning more.