Journeypeople needed for farm technician training
/by Caitlyn Clements
As you would have read in previous editions of Farm Focus, the Nova Scotia Federation of Agriculture (NSFA) has been working with the Nova Scotia Apprenticeship Agency (NSAA) to develop the farm technician trade. We’re currently looking for journeypeople for this trade so that apprentices can begin the training course in 2023.
I’ve highlighted some key questions and answers related to this apprenticeship. If you’d like more information, please don’t hesitate to contact us at the NSFA office at 902-893-2293.
Why was the farm technician trade created?
Development of the farm technician trade was sparked by industry need. The lack of skilled labour was identified as a critical issue for Nova Scotia farms and resulted in an NSFA policy on this very issue. The need for a farm-specific trade was requested by the province’s agriculture industry. We’ve had significant input, support, and guidance from countless farmers and commodity groups.
How will this benefit my operation?
It will provide comprehensive skills training that will allow both farm technicians and the farms they work on meet the technical, climatic, safety, and human resource challenges of the future. By combining classroom training with on-farm skills training, farm technicians will have a unique education that will equip them for success.
What skills would a farm technician have?
Farm technicians work on farms that raise livestock and/or grow crops and fibres, and their skills would vary.
They may be responsible for crop production activities such as soil and nutrient management, crop management, and integrated pest management.
Where applicable, they may be involved in packing, grading, storing, and shipping food and farm products.
Farm technicians may be responsible for herd/flock management, including health, care and welfare, breeding, feeding, and environmental control.
General duties include farm management tasks and maintenance of properties such as buildings, farm grounds, and storage facilities.
Farm technicians must safely operate, maintain, and adjust various equipment, such as tractors, forklifts, skid steers, loaders, and precision agriculture systems, as well as various hand and power tools.
They may also use various types of technology to increase efficiency and productivity, including computers, robotics, programmable logic controllers (PLC), and mobile devices.
What occupations could a farm technician undertake?
Possible occupations include agricultural service contractors, farm supervisors, specialized livestock workers (such as a herdsperson), and farm foremen and forewomen.
Who is an apprentice?
An apprentice is an entry-level employee who takes part in a specialized training program with a skilled employer. Apprenticeship is a combination of on-the-job training (learning from a certified journeyperson) and technical training (in-class or virtual).
Who is a journeyperson?
A journeyperson is someone who has obtained a certificate of qualification in a skilled trade. They are certified to train apprentices. They pass on their knowledge and skills to apprentices.
How many hours of experience do I need to be a journeyperson?
Those looking to become a journeyperson right away need 5,400 hours of experience to challenge the exam. This means you will not go through the apprenticeship pathway. A good example is someone with at least 5,400 hours as a herdsperson.
What if I have the hours but would like a refresher before taking the exam?
If they want, those with at least 5,400 hours of experience can take a refresher course to prepare for the exam. The refresher course is self-directed, which means it won’t take place in a classroom, and should take 90 hours to complete.
What are the costs?
The trade qualifier fee is $740, but that’s being waived until November 2023. The exam fee is $148.18.
How long does the apprenticeship training take?
The apprenticeship training set to begin in 2023 will take two years to complete.
Why is the apprenticeship program important?
Throughout the development of the farm technician trade, we were fortunate to have input and support from many industry stakeholders and farmers. We asked some of our farm tech champions about why they feel this apprenticeship is important to Nova Scotia agriculture. Here is what Steve Ells, of Ellslea Farms Ltd. in Canning, had to say:
“I think the farm technician apprentice program is important to our Nova Scotia agriculture industry for a few reasons.
“The fact that our farms and how they work are getting much more sophisticated and technical each year puts demands on the managers and foremen that require a formal trade-level education. Automated systems, food safety, increased input tracking, and human resource management are all high-demand functions on most farms. Having trained individuals that are able to work with these challenges is a great asset.
“The individuals who are taking on the challenges of today’s agriculture deserve to have the recognition of a certified trade. The training and skills needed on modern farms are no less than those needed by other more recognized trades.
“The working experience required to complete the apprenticeship program will be invaluable to the farms hiring these individuals to be part of their team. The lessons learned in the classroom and on farms should allow these skilled tradespeople to make a positive impact on the farms.”
Stay tuned for updates on the farm technician trade, including the launch of the apprenticeship pathway in 2023!
(Caitlyn Clements is the workforce development coordinator with the Nova Scotia Federation of Agriculture.)
