SOUTHEAST SASKATCHEWAN - Nelson Motors and Equipment hosted its second annual Think Ag event – a hands-on experience that provided students from the South East Cornerstone Public School Division and Prairie South School Division with insight into the operations of the John Deere dealership.
Young people came from Lampman, Carlyle, Redvers, Alameda, Assiniboia, Ogema and Avonlea, among other communities. They had the opportunity to work in the four main departments of the dealership.
Students gained practical experience in the parts department, where they manufactured hoses, handled receiving parts for internal and customer orders, and engaged in a race with one of the owners to locate and store parts correctly. The service department exposed the students to working with a pulled combine engine and allowed them to complete tasks such as setting valves.
Nelson Motors and Equipment general manager Jaret Nelson emphasized the importance of the hands-on approach.
"We wanted the event to be hands-on for these students," he said. "It's what our business is about, hands-on and helping customers be the best growers they can be."
In addition to parts and service, the students also interacted with the sales and Precision Ag departments. They were tasked with assisting a "customer" in finding suitable equipment and attachments for their land, and then working with the Precision Ag team to set up a job using computers and sending instructions to the equipment.
Shannon Mack, human resources and hiring manager at Nelson Motors and Equipment, expressed her enthusiasm for the initiative.
"It was truly rewarding to see the students engage meaningfully with our team," said Mack. "We discussed education options including apprenticeships, job opportunities, wages and the overall work environment, giving them a comprehensive view of potential career paths."
Mack also mentioned that two students would be participating in work placements with the company in the future.
The success of the Think Ag event has prompted the company to plan similar initiatives again.
