Agriculture is the fastest growing industry in Canada and producers are busier than ever. To meet the increasing demand, producers look to agricultural sales, customer and technical support representatives as the experts in emerging ag tech trends, for innovative solutions.

Developed alongside industry, the Agriculture Sales and Customer Support certificate program arms you with the skills, knowledge and on-the-job training to ensure you are set up for success.

Program Intake: Continuous enrolments throughout the year – per course

Length of Program: 10 months

Delivery: Online

Credentials: Upon successful completion of this program, graduates will receive a certificate in Agriculture Sales and Customer Support.

Work Integrated Learning: Term three will consist of a six-month paid internship that may be completed with your current employer. If you are currently not employed in the ag sales industry the College will assist you in finding a placement for you with one of its industry partners.

Olds College developed the Agricultural Sales & Customer Support certificate program to align with Advanced Educations call for “apprenticeship-like” programming concepts that emphasize a significant on the job component, as well as policy initiatives set forth by the Government of Alberta Alberta’s Recovery Plan (June 2020), Fiscal Plan - Protecting Lives & Livelihoods, Government of Alberta (2021) and Alberta 2030: Building Skills for Jobs (2020).

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Course Details

Workplace Communications | COM 1020

Dates: March 6 - April 28, 2023
Cost: $543.12
Prerequisites: None
Delivery Method: Online

In this course students develop writing and presentation skills. Students will apply rules of grammar, spelling, punctuation, and mechanics in the development of letters, email, and short reports as well as other documents relevant to their industry. Students will demonstrate strategies and techniques for creating informative and persuasive presentations.

Professional Selling | AMT 2120

Dates: January 3 - February 24, 2023
Cost: $543.12
Prerequisites: None
Delivery Method: Online

In this course the emphasis is on developing successful sales professionals and the competencies necessary to effectively manage the sales process. This is also an excellent foundational course for students pursuing an entrepreneurial career. The course is broken into three components.

Specifically:

The development of personal and business goal setting ability
The development of sales skills
The use of Customer Relationship Management (CRM) techniques

Skills for Effective Negotiation | COM 1530

Dates: January 3 - February 24, 2023
Cost: $543.12+ Textbook
Prerequisites: None
Delivery Method: Online

Students will demonstrate ability in making customers and their needs a primary focus. Emphasis will be placed upon developing and sustaining productive customer relationships in authentic contexts. Students will demonstrate refined personal and professional communication and leadership skills exemplifying ethical negotiation and dispute resolution.

Required Text & Materials:

Essentials of Negotiation; 4th Edition, Roy J. Lewicki, Kevin Tasa, Bruce Barry, David M. Saunders. Approximate Cost: $89 for 360-day rental.

Note that textbooks and software are the responsibility of the student. Please wait until 1-week prior to the course start date to purchase materials, as the courses will be cancelled if minimum enrolment is not received.

Marketing Principles | MKG 1021

Dates: March 6 - April 28, 2023
Cost: $543.12
Prerequisites: None
Delivery Method: Online

This course develops an understanding of marketing concepts, principles, and practices. Topics examined include the influence of environmental factors on the marketing process, marketing strategy development, marketing mix formulation and adjustment for pricing, promoting and distributing appropriate products and services to selected markets.

Industry Internship | WIL 2350

Dates: Begins the second Wednesday of every month
Cost: $543.12
Prerequisites: Students must have successfully completed the prior 4 courses before enrolling in the Industry Internship.

Students engage in a faculty-supported field placement over a six-month (850 hour) term of paid employment. During this time students will work with an industry mentor and engage in skill development based on an approved personalized student learning plan. Upon completion of this work-integrated learning experience, students will have gained industry specific knowledge and skills.

“As the Agriculture industry in Canada grows, so do the professional skills and competencies of its members. These skills are required to service the increasing needs of the industry from the equipment and service providers. Our outbound sales force is the lifeblood and the “face” of our organization with upwards of 100 sales consultants currently servicing our customers. The value a strong salesperson brings to our organization is tangible and meaningful on a daily basis through adding value to our customer base, by servicing them in a consultative fashion so they make good operational decisions. With the growing needs of our industry- proper technical, marketing, communication and negotiation skills are imperative. We require new sales talent to join our organization throughout the year to meet these needs. In order to be successful, the salesmen need to be industry trained. Having individuals go through formal agriculture sales training from Olds College, will greatly benefit our organization and the industry as a whole.”
- Rocky Mountain Equipment LP

Admission Requirements:

16 years of age or older
Alberta High School Diploma or its equivalent or qualify as a mature student

Academic Upgrading and High School Applicants: Applicants currently in high school or who are completing academic upgrading must submit proof of enrollment and any available interim/midterm marks. Final marks must be submitted within one month following the completion of the course(s) and no later than one month prior to the program start date.

Alternate Admission Option: Alternate Admission status may apply to students who have not or will not complete one or more of the academic admission requirements. To apply under Alternate Admission Status, please provide the following:

(Required) Transcript(s) showing any completed high school and post-secondary courses
(Required) Letter of Introduction and Intent, outlining the following:
- Introduce yourself
- Indicate why you wish to enrol in the program
- Elaborate on your career goals
- Detail your experience relevant to this program and the industry
(Required) A resume of your work history, extracurricular activities, volunteer service, etc. for the last 5 years
(Optional) Include copies of any tickets and/or certificates you currently hold (e.g.: first aid, safety tickets, etc.)
(Optional) Letter(s) of reference from current or past employers/coaches/etc. (maximum of two letters)

Admitted Students

Program Dates

Find out when your term start and end dates are, so that you know when you are expected to be in attendance. For more information, please review the Program Dates & Fee Schedule.

Class Registration

You will be registered into your classes automatically. This will happen approximately 1 month prior to the start-date for your program. You will be notified once you have been timetabled into your courses. You will be able to see your class schedule in your My Olds College account. If you need to make any changes to your class registration, please contact the Office of the Registrar.

Agriculture Sales & Customer Support Certificate