The need for skilled labor workers in the agriculture industry was a recurring theme at the AgCareers.com 2011 North American Ag HR Roundtable held last week at Purdue University.
AgCareers president Eric Spell says they about 190 attendees were at the 9th annual event to discuss recruitment and retention of talent in the agribusiness industry, including the largest number of employers ever. “Some companies are sending 3, 4 or even 5 attendees,” Eric says. “We do have 90 employers represented, which is by far the most we’ve ever had.”
While higher education for agribusiness executive positions has always been a focus for the roundtable, Eric says the need for skilled labor jobs has become more critical lately, especially in the precision agriculture field. “Skilled labor is custom applicators in the agronomy sector, service technicians in the farm equipment industry, GPS positions in the equipment industry,” Eric says. “They’re skilled trade positions, they’re valued, and sometimes they even pay more than a four year degree.” He notes that about a third of the 2300 jobs listed on AgCareers.com right now are skilled labor positions.
Listen to my interview with Eric here: [wpaudio url=”http://zimmcomm.biz/agcareers/2011-aghr-eric.mp3″ text=”AgCareers president Eric Spell Interview”]