Agriculture Sales Certificate

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.

This program may be eligible for the Canada-Alberta Job Grant. You can find more information HERE.

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 secure 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).

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.
- To purchase this text digitally, please visit the McGraw Hill Education Website. Click on Purchase Options. Important - To access resources that will be used in this course you MUST have access to the publisher Connect site so be sure to purchase the Connect option or the Connect & Print option.

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: May 1 - November 3, 2023
Cost: $618.21
Prerequisites: None, but student must be currently taking or have taken at least one or more courses within the program.

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.