Global Ag Manufacturing:

The AGRITECHNICA experience is part of an international business course focused on trade shows, an important tool that businesses use to engage in the international marketplace. Partnering with AMC, the school matched each student with a Saskatchewan-based ag manufacturing company attending the show. “Industry partnerships like the one we have with AMC are essential to creating meaningful student experiences,” says Dr. Keith Willoughby (PhD), dean of the Edwards School of Business. “They not only foster skill and career development, but also highlight the exceptional talent and potential our students bring to the workforce.” Before the show, which takes place in Hanover, Germany from November 9 to 15, students are trained on the skills necessary to work a trade show. Each student is also required to research their matched business and assist with market research in preparation.

“We want them to be familiar with the company and its people when they are there,” says Cheryl Loadman, a professor who teaches international business at the Edwards School of Business. “The students become part of the company team.” Once in Germany, the students will help set up, participate in company meetings, attend networking events, and work the trade show floor talking to potential customers. 

“It’s a working trip,” says Loadman. “We try to give them a real sense of what it’s like out there.”

“By engaging students directly at AGRITECHNICA, we are helping them develop practical skills and strengthening the bridge between academic learning and real-world opportunity” – Donna Boyd, President, AMC

Participating students are expected to be professional, engage with companies, share ideas and work as a team. After the trip, they will prepare a report and create a video to share their experiences, both from a business and individual perspective. 

“Having this exposure changes the students’ understanding that they can do this – it’s a real confidence builder,” says Loadman.

Last fall, the school attended Supply Side West in Las Vegas in partnership with Saskatchewan Trade & Export Partnership (STEP). Matched with Saskatchewan companies, students met trade commissioners and government officials, and participated in business deals, netting three job offers.

“The program resulted in exponential success,” says Loadman. “Students shared stories in the classroom and companies were really impressed with their ability to ask intelligent questions.”

For AGRITECHNICA, the school’s fourth international trip, Loadman says AMC has been fantastic to work with. She is excited to have the industry’s support, which has helped underscore the sector’s importance to the Canadian economy. 

“When we talk about ag manufacturing in Saskatchewan, people don’t realize how big the industry is,” she says. “It’s one of the largest ag manufacturing provinces in Canada.”

Ag manufacturing offers a world of opportunity, with career paths for everyone – from accounting and finance to marketing and human resources. Loadman hopes her students come away understanding there are many career opportunities in the sector and the companies see them as potential future employees.

“It is a global eye opener,” she says. “The more they understand the sector, the more opportunities there are.”

AMC President Donna Boyd says this initiative demonstrates the power of collaboration between education and industry.

“By engaging students directly at AGRITECHNICA, we are helping them develop practical skills and strengthening the bridge between academic learning and real-world opportunity,” says Boyd. “For AMC, this is more than a trip – it’s the impact of our Careers in Ag initiative, and the beginning of a movement to inspire, attract, and prepare the future leaders of our industry.”