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United Grain Growers invest in internship program |
Agriculture students given a headstart
Folio Staff
A new internship program will enable students in the Faculty of Agriculture, Forestry and Home Economics to finish their degrees on the job.
United Grain Growers is investing $25,000 per year to give fourth-year students practical job experience over a 12-to-16 month period, helping them learn about the corporate world before launching into specific careers. The faculty is also hoping the internship program will help boost enrollment.
"The job market has tightened in agriculture in the last little while - with closures of elevators and chemical companies tightening up staff —so things like this internship program are going to allow you to get your foot in the door with a company that is very progressive," says 23-year-old U of A grad Phil Tovell, hired by UGG to take part in its management development program last spring. "It provides me the opportunity to see just about everything the company does," he says.
Chandler says UGG’s investment represents the industry’s growing interest in partnerships with the U of A as well as recognition of the important role they can play in training young professionals.
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