Ag workers needed in Alberta

By Sean Feagan, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

With disruptions to the financial and labour markets ongoing, the provincial government is promoting recruitment in the agricultural industry by providing a new online service, the Agriculture Job Connector.
According to Devin Dreeshen, Alberta Minister of Agriculture and Forestry, the agriculture industry could be “a great source of jobs for those seeking employment.
“There are great job opportunities on Alberta farms and ranches,” noted Dreeshen. “There is definitely a greater appreciation for Alberta’s agriculture sector, and this new website will help Albertans find an exciting new job in this essential service.”
While other sectors of the economy have shut down due to COVID-19, Alberta’s agriculture and livestock industries are gearing up for a busy season, said Bow River MP Martin Shields.
“We have an agriculture industry that is starting up and is going to be working,” said Shields. “Producers in the Strathmore area are getting their seed ready and making sure their machinery is all ready to go.
“When the land is dried up enough and the frost is gone, they will be working.”
The area’s cattle industry, including its feedlots, packing plants, and cow-calf operations, are “out there working,” he said.
On the Agriculture Job Connector website (https://www.alberta.ca/agriculture-job-connector.aspx), once employers set up an account, they can post jobs. Those looking for work simply search for the jobs, and they can also post a resume that will be instantly matched to existing jobs on the site.
As of April 26, the site listed 103 agriculture job postings across the province, ranging from apiary worker to worm picker, with more being added regularly.