CALGARY (Staff) — Half of Alberta home economists have been replaced by rural development consultants as the provincial government continues to restructure.
Of the 50 district home economists, 24 people will now be working as consultants in rural areas, said John Tackaberry, director of the rural development division. The home economists have been moving away from their old roles for the past 10 years, becoming increasingly involved in farm business management and leadership programs, he said.
Job description
Staff in the new job will spend about half their time working with farm groups, handling 4-H and dealing with food and personal safety issues. The rest of their time will be devoted to farm family business development, marketing, promotion and adding value to Alberta’s food products, said Tackaberry.
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The new jobs were posted, people were interviewed and hired for the new jobs. Those who were unsuccessful have been offered severance packages, he said.
On the job
These new consultants will be on the job as soon as possible. In the southern region they will be working in Lethbridge, Strathmore, Medicine Hat, Claresholm and Vulcan. The central region will have offices in Hanna, Stettler, Olds, Three Hills and Lacombe. The northeast will be served from Wainwright, Vegreville, Smoky Lake, Camrose and Vermilion.
In northwest, Leduc, Stony Plain, Morinville and Westlock will have offices and the Peace Region will be served from Grande Prairie, Manning, Spirit River and Valleyview.
