b'even as the sector has lost about one-third of its workforce, explains Andrew Schrumm, senior research manager with RBC. In recent years, however, these gains have slowed to the national average. Looking to 2030, if we continue a downward slide, agriculture could drop to a 1.8 per cent productivity gain year over year. With these losses, compounded by mounting labour shortages, Canada could leave $11 billion in potential GDP on the table. He adds that agriculture has been a standout over the years in learning how to use technology to replace people, but it is now clear the technology needs people to maintain and use it. What happens when the 37 per cent of farmers who have been using the technology and are eligible to retire at the end of 2020 leave the industry? Who will be trained and ready to take their places? Andrew Schrumm is a senior researchDale Steele is the owner of Steelemanager with RBC. Ag Insight.All the research points to a need to encourage young people to consider a career in agriculture. To do that, the industry must convince students interested in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) that agriculture offers satisfying and challenging careers. Across Canada, agricultural degree and college programs try to attract young people raised in cities to their programs because there are no longer enough rural youth to fill the classes.We have three generations working on our farm and each has a different perspective on our farm, Banack explains. Generations starting school today can expect to have three careers, not three jobs. So how do we change our recruitment process to attract people to agriculture who want a career? When I started farming, I just wanted to drive a tractor and now Im a human resources manager. We need to learn how to recruit. Perhaps we need to study how other industries are recruiting.Understanding the technology used in a high clearance sprayer isnt the only technology farmers need to master, according to Banack. He says growers need to tap into socialDebra Hauer works for the Canadian Agricultural Human Resource Council.media because a lot of job searches now happen that way. He says if the industry wants to present itself as a viable careerThere are fewer farmers and fewer sons and daughters, option, growers have to be willing to pay fairly. Its possible weSteele says. Enrolment by Canadians in agricultural programs might have to pay an employee more than we pay ourselves,is declining but foreign students are filling the spots. However, Banack continues. We have to offer attractive wage packages. most of the foreign students are taking their learned knowledge But paying more for help doesnt answer the question ofback to their countries. How do we get non-farm people where to find the qualified people to do the work. On-the-jobinterested in working in agriculture? This industry leads in training is always a possibility if a grower can find someoneautomation and technology, which should be attractive.who wants to learn, but it would be more time-efficient to beSteele sees an immediate limitation in teaching the able to hire someone with the required skills who can step intotechnology skills to fully utilize the computers and data that a combine or sprayer and get to work.are part of all modern equipment. He suggests colleges and Wed like to see the federal government create a nationaluniversities should explore curriculum changes to expose skills strategy for agriculture, says Schrumm. We need tostudents to the new tools, technologies and digital agricultural envision a long-term strategy to cultivate skills to attract youngplatforms that are currently being used by farmers.people to the industry. Supply and demand should help solve the issue because high Hauer suggests apprenticeship and co-op programs couldwages should encourage people to check out the skills needed, help fill the labour shortage. Giving students in agriculturalSteele continues. But how do we convince urban dwellers to programs opportunities to try their new skills and get paidmove to underpopulated areas of the country in order to take a for it might convince them that a career in agriculture offersjob operating a sprayer? fulfillment and a future.Back to supply and demand, Steele says if the sprayer is worth Dale Steele of Steele Ag Insight in Lethbridge says he sees a$300/hr and it is sitting for lack of an operator, perhaps it makes disconnect between what is needed and getting it done. He hassense to pay $30/hr to get someone to run it. Universities and worked with Olds College and University of Alberta and he seescolleges should be training students in the latest technology, but the labour shortage issue as multi-pronged.Im not seeing that.32seed.ab.ca'