Steinbach hosted a tour of the intersection of careers in agriculture on Tuesday.

Michelle Bezditny is the Director of Economic Development for the Steinbach Economic Development Corporation. He said the event was organized in conjunction with Manitoba Agriculture.

Bezditny explains that the career tour focuses on agriculture and agriculture-adjacent careers available in the agricultural sector. He says Agriculture and Food Industry Tours through Manitoba Agriculture offer a unique opportunity to explore the businesses shaping Manitoba’s future.

Bezditny says Steinbach Economic Development’s vision is for our city to be the center of advanced agribusiness in Canada. He adds that collaborating with the Ministry of Agriculture increases awareness of the sector, especially career opportunities in the region.

According to Bezditny, as a result of Steinbach Economic Development’s ongoing economic growth and development efforts, Steinbach is hosting a Manitoba Agriculture industry tour for the first time. He notes that promoting and marketing Steinbach as a center of advanced agribusiness fosters the development of Steinbach’s entire business ecosystem and is beneficial for the entire region.

Leanne Sprung is an Organizational Development Specialist Youth Development at Manitoba Agriculture. He says there were about 25 participants. Tuesday’s tour included a session at Steinbach Credit Union, where participants also heard from mode40 and Agriculture in the Classroom. There were also sessions covering HyLife, Steve’s Livestock, Country Meat and Deli and Alterra Innovation.

Mode40 CEO Cameron Bergen speaks to attendees (Photo credit: Michelle Bezditny)

The tour is recommended for career counselors, job placement coaches, apprenticeship program staff, cooperative program coordinators, immigrant settlement officers, youth-serving organization staff, and others who influence job and career choices.

Bezditny said the tour provides local agriculture-related businesses with an opportunity for participants to identify the types of skills they need to grow and expand their businesses. Not all participants had visited Steinbach before Tuesday, he notes.

“It really creates opportunities,” he says. “Not just for Steinbach and the region, but ultimately for the state.”

Bezditny said he is delighted to support Manitoba Agriculture’s efforts and that this is likely just the beginning of a thriving partnership.

Meanwhile, Sprung says Manitoba Agriculture is part of our provincial government. Stating that one of the goals of the state government is economic development, the Minister noted that agriculture is economic development. Sprung says that they did such tours last year and states that visiting construction sites and hearing from entrepreneurs and inventors has come to a very nice point. Sprung adds that the tours also offer people the opportunity to see what jobs and careers are available.

“It’s really been a mix of opportunities,” he says. “But it actually speaks to the depth and breadth of what’s out there for our young people, newcomers or those looking to change careers.”

Sprung says that at the end of the day, they invite participants to share their feedback about the tour. He appreciates hearing from businesses and the different opportunities available. Participants who learned firsthand from businesses in the Steinbach area now have that background knowledge when talking to their students, Sprung says. Sprung says newcomers are emphasizing the benefits of knowing what local businesses provide for non-English speakers.

HR HyLife Director Janelle Braun speaks to attendees (Photo credit: Michelle Bezditny)

“(It) was really heartwarming to me,” he adds. “And I think it was helpful for them to hear those kinds of messages and make those connections.”

Sprung says there’s another important takeaway focused on apprenticeships. He noted that participants emphasized the importance of ensuring that students interested in careers know that there is a path for them and that there are jobs available.

Sprung says an event like this creates excitement among attendees.

“And when you’re excited and passionate about something, you share it,” he says. “And I think one of the main benefits of tours that I’ve seen is that these people go back into their workplaces, and if they’re talking to students or they’re talking to colleagues or they’re writing policy papers, that’s a hand gesture—based on the experience they’ve had.”

Bezditny said Tuesday’s event was a great opportunity not only for Steinbach but for the entire region. Bezditny says he looks forward to continued collaboration with Manitoba Agriculture to benefit not only the business community but society as a whole.