Ag Instructor Vic Martin: Agriculture, Education, and Employment

Great Bend Tribune
Published July 30, 2017

August arrives Tuesday and for most of the area, rains have been light to nonexistent.  Much of central Kansas is listed as being abnormally dry or in moderate drought.  Thankfully temperatures have moderated a bit and some areas have received beneficial rain.  Today’s topic ties together these items:

  • The Unemployment Rate – The overall unemployment rate is low for the state.  The rate is lower than a year ago. The state has shed several thousand private sector jobs over the last several months. Remember the unemployment rate only includes those actively looking for employment.  If you quit looking for employment, you aren’t counted.  This is why the rate can increase even with an explosion of new hires.  Here it would indicate that people have left the sidelines and are looking for employment.  This does not include on-farm payrolls.  Agriculture is not included in employment rates for Kansas or nationally.  And wage increases have been relatively low, although wages are increasing, and many are underemployed.
  • The Kansas Department of Education (KDoE) and student readiness – The KDoE is now starting to track students two years after graduation from high school and wants to increase completion rates/retention for students.  They have committed to implementing soft skills training, what Barton terms “Essential Skills.”  Studies have shown a lack of skilled/trained employees to meet the workforce needs of Kansas and it is a significant drag on economic growth for the state.  Further, many of these jobs only require a two-year degree or certificate and pay as well as many careers with four-year degrees.
  • Barton Community College – The Fall Semester starts August 16 with a variety of certificates and A.A.S. (Associate of Applied Science) Degree Programs designed for people to rapidly complete their education and enter their chosen field.  Of course Barton also offers fine two-year A.S. (Associate of Science) Degrees designed for transfer to a four-year institution.

You might be wondering why write about this now.  Although Kansas has a low unemployment rate, many are working lower paying jobs or less than full-time.  Many of these jobs have few or no benefits.  And/or they have little job security.  KDoE recognizes that many lack skills to succeed on the job and are implementing soft skills programming and technical training.  They also recognize that technical training is key for many to succeed, especially those not interested in or suited to a traditional four year college track. 

Barton offers technical training, both certificate and A.A.S., that allows individuals three things.  First, the ability to obtain a good job with benefits in a short period of time at a very reasonable price.  Second, this offers people the opportunity for a career, not a job.  Third, people obtaining these certificates and degrees overall have steadier employment.  Barton’s “Essential Skills” Program is seven years old and continues to evolve to address employer and employee needs.

Specific to agriculture, there has been and continues to be a shortage of qualified quality employees in all aspects of the industry both the crops and livestock side.  Salaries and benefits are good to excellent.  Barton’s Agriculture Department offers certificates in Beef Cattle Production and Crop Protection that may be completed in two semesters, and A.A.S. degrees in Crop Protection and Agriculture Business Management.  These are opportunities for long-term careers, not just a job.  And the industry doesn’t require a farm background but responsible individuals committed to learning.