Grainswest - Spring 2023

Spring 2023 grainswest.com 15 BY CRAIG LESTER • PHOTO COURTESY OF UFA Lakeland College agri-sales and customer relations certificate student Jenna Tymko discusses the innovative apprenticeship programwith Kyle Hafner, Lakeland farm team advisor. Tymko is enrolled in the programwhile employed by UFA. at their own pace, but within deadlines. “It is built with some buffer time to allow for life events, busy seasons and anything that may come up,” said Ambrock. This gives students like Tymko peace of mind. She knows her instructors will understand that during seeding, calving and harvest, when farm retailers are very busy, her assignments may come in late. “It allows me to leave it for a couple of weeks and go back and get it done when I have time.” Students move on to the next module only once they have completed the requirements of the previous one. In- structors track their progress and provide ongoing feedback. This helps students maximize their learning experience as they develop skills and knowledge, said Ambrock. “The lifelong learner in each of them will be inspired and encourage them to bring best practices to the table when working.” “I wanted to expand my knowledge and skills in sales to give myself every advantage I can while I’m working and out in the field,” said Tymko, echoing Ambrock. The program allows her to ap- ply what she has learned in her studies in real-life circumstances almost immedi- ately, she added. “Say a customer comes into UFA today; I can ask myself, ‘What did I learn yesterday that I could try out on this customer?’” While all students are under 25, she said the program is not directed exclu- sively toward young adults. “It’s a good program to take, no matter what age you are or what experience you have.” The program was launched at a time of tremendous growth for Lakeland College, which has more than doubled enrolment over the past decade. Brown believes this is an exciting opportunity given the signif- icant shortage of skilled workers in the ag- riculture sector. “This program will work to get qualified people into the industry and offer innovative ways of training.” The next agri-sales and customer rela- tions student intake is scheduled for early July 2023. For more information about the agri-sales and customer relations certificate program, visit lakelandcollege.ca.