Through CAHRC’s research, farm businesses have clarified that their top risk to business success, sustainability and growth is human resources, specifically having reliable access to workers with the latest knowledge and skills required to meet existing and evolving demands (CAHRC, 2009, 2011, 2016). Farm business operations are multifaceted with complex business structures, schedules, and regulatory rules, including twenty-four hour a day operations, stringent food regulations, bio-security protocols, complex machinery, evolving technology and robotics, animal welfare requirements, personal safety regulations, environmental stewardship considerations, and remote location challenges. They also include the integration of diverse staff teams, including workers from a variety of countries, cultures, literacy levels, languages, and skill levels making the HR management function extremely complex, while at the same time the most critical to operational success. There are many employers and individuals seeking tools and resources to support their own individual learning as well as providing learning and resources for employees. CAHRC has some existing tools and training offered at the introductory level, including an e-learning program providing an overview of HR management and the Agri HR Toolkit.
The overall project will assist the agriculture industry to secure a highly skilled workforce to grow the industry in future years by identifying skills most in need, training job seekers with the skills in highest demand and assist employers in recruiting and retaining staff. The project outcomes will assist the agriculture and agri-food industry in its economic recovery after the pandemic and will enable the industry to grow the Canadian economy in future years.
