Lethbridge College announced the AGCO Advantage Partnership agreement Tuesday, making it the first post-secondary institution in Canada to partner with AGCO Corporation and Hanlon Ag Centre Ltd.
The partnership will not only draw students and industry professionals from around Canada, but will also help pave the way for agricultural growth in southern Alberta.
The agreement will provide a more comprehensive training environment for the college’s agriculture and heavy equipment apprenticeship and certificate program. AGCO will provide training for the instructors, giving students the opportunity to learn on state-of-the-art technologies.
College President and CEO Dr. Paula Burns said the program will offer the best in training and technology to its students.
“AGCO’s tremendous commitment allows us to offer more openings for students in our apprenticeship programs,” Burns said. “It also lets other companies know that we are open for business and always looking for mutually beneficial industry partnerships.”
AGCO Advantage program manager Russell Goertzen is excited about the new partnership.
“We look forward to working with them and encourage other dealers to explore this opportunity,” Goertzen said. “This is a great step forward in developing the next generation of AGCO-branded technicians in this area.”
Because AGCO equipment is embedded into the curriculum, the college becomes an ideal spot for dealers from across western Canada to send their employees and apprentices for training. Hanlon Ag Centre is the first company to sign an agreement with the college for dealer training.
Throughout March and April, more than 20 AGCO technicians are coming to the college for additional learning opportunities.