Times-Advocate, 1988-05-04, Page 22Page 6A
Times -Advocate, May 4, 1988
Labour shortage growing
CENTRALIA - The financial
problems confronting agriculture in
the 80's arc well documented. Now
a second problem appears to be sur-
facing as agriculture heads into the
90's. Acquiring competent, well
qualified labour to fill both on-farm
and agribusiness jobs is increasing-
ly difficult.
Five years ago there was a sur-
plus of trained employees for the
agriculture industry. Farming was
experiencing a downturn while grad-
uate numbers from agricultural col-
leges and universities were peaking
at an all time high.
There was a two to three year tag
beforcr college enrollment dropped
according to Bd1 Allen, Centralia
College Director. He goes on to
say, "For a while there wcrc more
grads than jobs. Today it appears an
over -correction has taken place. 'Ile
jobs available in agriculture far out
number the ag graduates."
Allen points out that job post-
ings at Centralia exceed this year's
graduating agriculture class five to
WINS AWARD - Lisa Rundle of Exeter recently won a graphic design
award from George Brown College. Making the presentation above is Grant
McGregor.
Graduate from South Huron
wins graphic design award
KITCHENER - Lisa Rundle, a
1987 graduate of the Graphic Pc -
sign and Advertising program, is
the winner of a graphic design
award in connection with the visual
arts exhibit and competition which
took place at the 1988 Conference
of the Association of Colleges of -
Applied Arts and Technology of
Ontario (ACAATO).
Rundle's entry, a black and white
employment promotion package,
was selected at the ACAATO Con-
ference, hosted by George Brown
College, from entries submitted by
;:'.l 22 community colleges.
A Graphic Designer for AIS
Communications in Exeter, Rundle
received a S250 cheque. Shc is a
graduate of South Huron District
High School, Exeter.
Rundte's design will be used for
advertising for next year's contest.
She will receive an honorarium in
connection with the use of her de-
sign.
Presenting the award was Grant
McGregor, Associate Director of
the Doon campus. Also in atten-
dance at the presentation Was facul-
ty member Vince Sawa.
Grant to Huron Board
TORONTO - The Ontario Gov-
ernment hasallocated funds which
will generate a capital project val-
ued at S150,000 for the Huron
County Board of Education, Agri-
culture Minister Jack Riddell,
M.P.P., Huron, has announced on
behalf of Education Minister Chris
Ward.
The Huron County Board of Edu-
cation allocation is for renovations
at Brookside Public School in
Lucknow.
Elaborating on the Ontario Bud-
get tabled last wcck by Treasurer
Bob Nixon, Ward told thc Legisla-
ture on Monday that provincial
grants of S381 million have been
allocated to Ontario school boards.
These grants, when coupled with
local contributions at varying rates
of support, will generate capital
projects valued at S504 million.
"The Treasurer has announced the
provision of a 5900 million, three-
year grant commitment that will
enable school boards to undertake
S1.3 billion worth of capital con-
struction," said Mr. Ward.
"I'm delighted and proud of this
major budget commitment. I be-
lieve that this will allow us to ad-
dress our most pressing space
needs, and permit us to move ahead
to meet the challenges of assuring
excellence in education," he said.
"Since taking office in 1985, this
government has demonstrated its
commitment to our schools by first
doubling, then tripling, and now
quadrupling the annual amount
spent on school capital."
We're Fully Equipped
for any Job
• Farm ponds
• Gravel
Bailing
Orogline
'F
tt
In
• Trucking • Gravel, Sand & Stone • Bulldozing
• Excavating • Top Soil • Septic Systems
"No job is too big or too small"
Res.
482-9212
Trucking - Excavating
Clinton
Shop
482-9926
r
one. This trend, which started last
year, is a result of fewer young
people choosing the career of agri-
culture.
About fifty percent of the posi-
tions available are work on -farms
in ag labour or management. The
other half are vacancies in agribusi-
ness, research and financial institu-
tions. It appears that the majority
of these postings will be filled by
individuals lacking training in agri-
culture or will remain vacant.
"The situation is particularly crit-
ical with on-farm labour," says Al-
len. "Farmers are having a tough
time competing with other indus-
tries for scarce labour. They find it
difficult to offer the same wages,
benefits and working conditions as
businesses in town."
In most cases the farmer must
settle for unskilled labour and do
the training himself. Often there is
insufficient time or expertise to
properly train individuals on the
job.
When asked if he secs the situa-
tion improving Allen replies,
"probably not. in the near future.
Young people in rural Ontario are
being discouraged by their parents,
friends and guidance counselors
from choosing agriculture as a ca-
reer."
It appears that skilled agriculture
labour will remain in short supply
until more young people see agri-
culture as a viable career alterna
tivc.
FARMERS
W.G.Thompson & Sons Limited
are now contracting the 1988 crop of
Light and Dark Red
Kidney Beans
Please contact your nearest
W.G. Thompson & Sons Limited branch
for more details
(17- 1
AlteTi-itoRtti -40N O'NsLI
Seaforth 345-2545
Pt. Albert 529-7901
M ITE
D
SEEDS FERTILIZER$
Hensel{ 262-2527
Ailsa Craig 293-3223
Mitchell 348-8433
Granton 225-2360
Helping you save time...
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FERTILIZER
Standard or custom blended dry fertilizer
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RENTAL EQUIPMENT
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- split applicators
- full line of delivery equipment
CUSTOM APPLICATION SERVICE
- Truspread, air flow, liquid sprayers
Our weed and Feed Program is available for pre plant or post plant applications. Have your
herbicides and nitrogen applied in one trip over the field.
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HYLAND BRAND CERTIFIED SEED
- Corn, soybeans, white beans, wheat, barley, oats, forages
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Everything you need to run a fast and efficient operation this spring is
waiting for you at your nearest W.G. Thompson & Sons Ltd. branch
(17-
Kto
1
ITE
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SEEDS FERTILI ZERS
Hensall 262-2527,
Seaforth 345-2545 Mitchell 348-8433,
Pt. Albert 529.7901 . Aliso Craig 293-3223 Granton 225-2360