OLDS, Alta. – It’s a long way from the oil patch to the seed plots at Olds College, but for Nova Scotian Harold Murphy, the career switch was the right move.
Murphy is one of 13 graduates in the Olds College seed and grain technology program.
Ken Parker, who teaches the majority of courses for the program, said students are almost guaranteed a job after graduation. He said nine requests for graduates were not filled because the college didn’t have enough students to fill the demand.
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And the positions filled by the class of ’95 are diverse. Murphy said he knew he wanted to get into the agriculture business but didn’t have any particular focus.
Opens up ideas
“I’d like to become a senior seed analyst. As soon as I started taking seed analysis it gives you all kinds of ideas,” he said. “Before I didn’t even know what a seed was,” he said with a laugh.
Others in the class have been hired to work for grain co-operatives, milling companies and the Canola Council of Canada.
Jim Bergstrom’s situation was different from his classmates’ in that he already works for Alberta Wheat Pool which pays for his two-year course. He sees such training as one way to get on the fast track to management.
As students scan their career horizons some say they were told by potential employers that training in the field is a necessity.
“Technology is moving very fast so they need better trained people,” said Murphy.
Jonathan Chalmers, who will be working for a milling company, anticipates his training will have to be upgraded regularly to keep current with industry changes.
On the curriculum
During the course, students learn hands-on grain analysis, identification and grading during a 70-hour stint with the Canadian Grain Commission. They learn to spot disease, identify weeds, learn grain legislation and are taught computer skills. They also learn about insects, farm chemicals, soil profiles and are taught effective communication and study the commodities markets.
For the September 1995 session, the college has space for 30 people. Ten spots are reserved for industry-sponsored students.
The program was spawned during the 1980s. To make it work, the college gathered participants from the grain industry to explain what they needed in employees.
Industry also helps foot some of the college’s expenses with support coming from seed farms, CN and CP Rail, grain and seed cleaning companies, government agriculture departments and grain export companies.
