Growing the Next Generation of Talent
Finding and keeping skilled employees continues to be one of the biggest challenges facing Alberta’s pork industry. From barn operations and animal care to business management, technology, and communications, farms and agri-businesses need talented people with a wide range of skills.
The Canadian Agricultural Human Resource Council’s (CAHRC) Growing Opportunities program is designed to help address that challenge by making it easier and more affordable for agricultural employers to hire post-secondary students through paid work-integrated learning placements.
What is the Growing Opportunities Program?
Growing Opportunities is part of CAHRC’s AGRI Talent initiative, delivered through the Government of Canada’s Student Work Placement Program (SWPP).
The program helps connect employers with post-secondary students seeking meaningful, paid work experience related to their studies. Eligible agricultural employers can receive a wage subsidy to offset the cost of hiring students while helping them gain valuable hands-on experience in the agriculture sector.
As of April 1, 2026, eligible employers may receive:
- Up to 50% of a student’s wages
- A maximum reimbursement of $5,000 per student placement
The placement must align with the student’s post-secondary academic program, but confirmation from the educational institution is no longer required, making the application process simpler than in previous years.
Benefits for Alberta Pork Producers
Labour shortages continue to impact pork production across Canada. Recruiting qualified employees can be difficult, particularly in rural communities, and many farms are looking for new ways to build a reliable workforce.
The program also aims to introduce more young Canadians—including women, Indigenous Peoples, persons with disabilities, newcomers, and other under-represented groups—to careers in agriculture. By creating meaningful work experiences early in their careers, employers help strengthen the industry’s long-term talent pipeline while increasing awareness of the opportunities available within Canadian agriculture.
Reduce Hiring Costs
The wage subsidy lowers the financial risk of bringing on a student employee, making it easier to provide valuable work experience while receiving financial support.
Build a Future Workforce
Many students are looking for careers that offer meaningful, real-world experience. Hosting a student placement gives producers an opportunity to introduce young people to careers in pork production and potentially recruit future full-time employees after graduation.
Access New Skills and Perspectives
Today’s students bring valuable knowledge in:
- Precision agriculture
- Data analysis
- Animal science
- Engineering
- Business management
- Marketing and communications
- Information technology
These skills can help farms improve efficiency, adopt new technologies, and strengthen business operations.
Beyond filling short-term positions, Growing Opportunities is helping build a stronger agricultural workforce for the future.
Who Can Apply?
Registered Canadian businesses and not-for-profit organizations operating within agriculture, including:
- Livestock producers
- Primary agricultural producers
- Veterinary clinics serving livestock
- Agricultural equipment dealerships
- Input suppliers
- Agricultural media organizations
- Other agriculture-related businesses
How to Get Started
Employers can apply through CAHRC’s Outcome Campus Connect portal, where they can submit a funding application and post available student positions. Applications are accepted for winter, summer, and fall work terms, with funding available on a first-come, first-served basis.
Investing in Tomorrow’s Pork Industry
The future success of Alberta’s pork industry depends on attracting the next generation of skilled professionals. Programs like Growing Opportunities make it easier for producers to invest in future talent while reducing hiring costs and building stronger connections with post-secondary students.
Whether your operation is looking for help during the busy summer months or exploring long-term workforce development, this program offers a practical way to bring fresh talent onto your team while helping shape the future of Canadian agriculture.
