by Stella Shepard
The PEI Agriculture Sector Council is a non-profit organization which helps identify and address human resource issues in the agriculture industry.
The council works to inspire the development of young leaders and entrepreneurs on PEI and offers employability skills that will enhance the competitiveness and workforce capacities of the Island’s agriculture and food sector and help build public trust.
“We work in partnership with the agricultural industry and representatives of governments and institutions to increase the investment in targeted human resources and to support a well-trained and available agriculture workforce on PEI,” says Laurie Loane, Executive Director, PEI Agriculture Sector Council.
“Through promotion, education such as Agriculture in the Classroom-PEI and the PEI Agriculture Awareness Committee, skills training, and agriculture awareness, the PEI Agriculture Sector Council seeks to create a skilled, sustainable agricultural workforce.”
Training responds to demand for drivers
“We started a Relief Bus Driver Training program that will provide training for substitute bus drivers to complete Class 3A training to be able to help when our industry needs support with our busy times.
“We will be able to connect substitute bus drivers to work temporarily on farms when not scheduled to drive a school bus.
“Through funded programs, we have trained more than 50 Class 3A drivers since the new year, yet there is still a high demand for Class 3A drivers on farming operations.”
According to Statistics Canada 3,600 people worked in agriculture on PEI in 2021.
Seasonal employment opportunities
- Harvester
- Grader
- Labourer
- Packer
- Farm Technician
- Forklift Driver
- Tractor/Combine Operator
- Class 1 & Class 3A Driver
Other year-round jobs
- Dairy Relief Milker
- Dairy Herdsman
- Seed Technician
- Milker
- Vet Technician
- Equipment Operator/Mechanic
“Seasonal employment depends on the crop and farm,” says Laurie. “Work on fruit crops begins in the spring and ramps up in late June to September for harvest. Other crops are planted, maintained, and harvested at various times from summer to late fall.
“There are also year-round jobs on farms, in management, science, human resources, mechanics, government, and at agriculture-related companies.”
Open positions are posted at www.peiagsc.ca/employment
For more information about a career in the agriculture industry, visit The PEI Agriculture Sector Council at www.peiagsc.ca
Funded in part by the Department of Economic Growth, Tourism and Culture through the Canada-PEI Labour Market Agreements.