Georgian College opens doors to agriculture jobs with new affordable 7-week training program

Unique partnership offers Georgian College students a $200, 7-week hands-on program in agricultural careers.

Georgian College is offering a new fast-track course to help people break into jobs in agriculture and food sustainability.

Through a partnership with Rama Community Farm, the college has launched a seven-week micro-credential in greenhouse operations. The program is designed to give students hands-on skills that employers seek.

“It’s an opportunity to work at farms, at greenhouses, at nurseries or for those who are interested in working in food sustainability,” said Mary Johnston, Georgian College’s director of continuing education.

The course runs for 60 hours — half online and half at Rama Community Farm — and costs just $200 thanks to funding from Upskill Canada. For some equity-deserving groups, the program is free through subsidies.

Ashley Paling, who teaches the program, said it is tailored to help people sharpen existing skills while learning new ones. “Some people have a lot of experience in outdoor agriculture and farming, some have a lot of experience in ornamental plants and we have been able to hone those skills in a specific greenhouse setting for them to be able to take away to future job opportunities,” she said.

Kailey LeDrew, farm manager at Rama Community Farm, said the collaboration has benefited both students and staff. “We have been so grateful for this opportunity to learn new skills and build what we already have, but to also validate what our staff already knew,” she said.

Johnston added that the response has been encouraging. “It’s just been amazing to see the impact that it has had on the students taking the program and on the community as well,” she said.

To apply, students must be legally permitted to work in Canada and have at least three years of work or volunteer experience.

The current group is already in its fifth week. Another session will begin in mid-September at Camphill Communities, just outside Barrie.