Explore Career Opportunities
Are You Fit For Ag?
Equipment Dealerships have grown with the changes in modern agriculture. There is a demand for a new generation of employees who are willing to learn, grow and develop with the company. Modern dealership employees must be computer literate, educated and able to take charge of a situation. The size of dealerships is growing and a typical dealership provides entry level positions with promotional opportunities into management.
Are you a fit? We hope so! Check out these videos and program information:
A Student & Employer Perspective
Hear from Adam Johnson, a student enrolled in the Olds College Agricultural Equipment Technician Program.
Regan Finlay, Operations Manager at Bill's Farm Supplies, discusses his experience and success with the Agricultural Equipment Technician Programs.
Agricultural Equipment Technician
An Ag Technician is certified to service, repair, assemble and maintain any agricultural equipment and attachments used for farming operations. This includes equipment for harvesting, material handling and processing, spraying and irrigation, seeding, tillage and hay and forage.
4 Year Apprenticeship Trade
Agricultural Equipment Technicians are in high demand in Farm Equipment Dealerships across Canada. This stable, exciting career offers great pay and benefits. Many schools offer a one year Agricultural Technician Certificate program. These programs are designed to give students the basic skills and knowledge necessary to enter the agricultural machinery technician trade. Students can receive up to 2 years credit towards their Apprenticeship for completing these programs. When registering in a certificate program, the student should contact their provincial apprenticeship branch for information on transferring credits, registering as an apprentice and the required hours of on-the-job training.
What skills/abilities are required?
Good physical condition & agility
Understanding of computerized machinery/mechanical systems
Strong communication skills
Analytical skills
How long is the apprenticeship program?
Four years consisting of four levels.Practical and technical training: minimum of 1800 hours per level.
What are the entrance requirements?
High School Apprenticeship Option – begin your apprenticeship training in high school. (See High School Apprenticeship Program below.)
General Admission – grade 12 or equivalent high school.
Trades Qualification – if you are experienced in the trade but do not hold a Certificate of Qualification, you may become a certified journey person based on years of proven industry experience and successful completion of the Red Seal Examination. Contact your regional apprenticeship office for more information.
Parts Person
In a farm equipment dealership, a Parts person manages & sells an inventory of parts for farm equipment. Aftermarket sales is an important aspect of a dealership’s income. A Parts person orders parts, tracks inventory, receives orders, organizes parts storage, prices parts and provides customer service.
3 Year Apprenticeship Trade
A Parts person manages and dispenses parts inventories. They may be responsible for stock handling, warehousing, identifying and cataloging parts and assemblies as well as ordering, receiving, inspecting, sorting, pricing and selling. Parts technicians must be knowledgeable in the use of all in-house equipment, including computers and materials handling equipment. They should enjoy variety and working directly with customers. Many technical schools including Olds College, Saskatchewan Polytechnic, Assiniboine Community College and Fanshawe College offer this program.
What skills/abilities are required?
Interpersonal skills
Interest in machinery repair
Organizational skills
Computer skills
How long is the apprenticeship program?
Three years consisting of three levels. Practical and technical training: minimum of 1800 hours per level.
What are the entrance requirements?
High School Apprenticeship Option – begin your apprenticeship training in high school. (See High School Apprenticeship Program below.)
General Admission – grade 12 or equivalent high school.
Trades Qualification – if you are experienced in the trade but do not hold a Certificate of Qualification, you may become a certified journey person based on years of proven industry experience and successful completion of the Red Seal Examination. Contact your regional apprenticeship office for more information.
Agriculture Technology and Precision Agriculture
Learn more about precision ag and technology with the NEW Olds College Precision Agriculture – Techgronomy Diploma. Graduates from the Diploma in Precision Agriculture – Techgronomy will be prepared for careers that require a deep understanding of the relationship between agronomy, agricultural equipment/purpose built network management, and data sciences.
Red Seal Trades
Both the Agricultural Equipment Technician and Parts Person trades are part of the Red Seal Program. As part of this program, apprentices who have completed their training and become certified journey persons, are able to obtain a “Red Seal” endorsement on their Certificates of Qualification and Apprenticeship by successfully completing an Inter-provincial Standards Exam. Upon receiving the “Red Seal” Endorsement, journey persons can work across Canada.