Western Illinois University students see growing career opportunities in ag – Brownfield Ag News

Report on Agricultural Career Growth and its Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals

Executive Summary

A significant demand for skilled professionals within the agriculture industry presents substantial career opportunities for students, as highlighted by faculty and students at Western Illinois University (WIU). This trend directly supports the achievement of several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly those related to education, economic growth, and food security. The university is actively preparing a new generation of leaders equipped to handle the technological and hands-on demands of modern agriculture, thereby contributing to a sustainable future.

Fostering Decent Work and Economic Growth (SDG 8)

The agricultural sector is experiencing a workforce shortage, creating a favorable employment landscape for qualified graduates. This aligns with SDG 8, which promotes sustained, inclusive, and sustainable economic growth and decent work for all.

• High Demand: Professor Mark Hoge of WIU notes a strong industry demand for “talented, driven individuals,” indicating a gap between available positions and the number of skilled applicants.
• Career Advancement: Graduates demonstrating a strong work ethic have the potential for rapid career advancement and can secure full-time employment in their desired fields.
• Economic Impact: Filling these roles is crucial for the continued growth and productivity of the agricultural economy.

The Role of Quality Education in Sustainable Agriculture (SDG 4)

Western Illinois University provides critical educational pathways that equip students with the necessary skills for success in the agricultural industry, directly supporting SDG 4 (Quality Education).

1. Accessible Pathways: The university creates opportunities for students from non-agricultural backgrounds. Senior Bryce Gualdoni stated, “I knew that I didn’t have to farm to be successful in ag,” highlighting the diverse career paths available.
2. Practical Experience: WIU facilitates internships and job placements, providing students with hands-on experience that enhances their employability.
3. Skill Development: The curriculum prepares students to embrace the technologically advanced aspects of the industry and assume leadership roles upon graduation.

Engaging the Next Generation for Zero Hunger (SDG 2)

Attracting new talent to the agricultural sector is fundamental to ensuring long-term food security and promoting sustainable agricultural practices, a core objective of SDG 2 (Zero Hunger).

• Importance of Outreach: Freshman Kaden Little emphasized the need for continued outreach and advocacy to inform the next generation about the diverse opportunities within agriculture.
• Sustaining the Workforce: Engaging young people is essential for the continuity and innovation of the food production system.
• Future of Food Security: A well-staffed and skilled agricultural workforce is a prerequisite for meeting global food demands and advancing sustainable farming methods.

Analysis of SDGs in the Article

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

• SDG 4: Quality Education

  The article is centered on Western Illinois University (WIU), a tertiary educational institution, and its role in preparing students for the workforce. It discusses the curriculum, the skills students acquire (“hands-on nature and technologically advanced aspects”), and the role of professors like Mark Hoge in training the next generation. This directly relates to providing quality education that leads to employment.

• SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth

  The primary theme of the article is the abundance of career opportunities in the agriculture industry. It highlights the high demand for skilled workers (“the agriculture industry is craving talented, driven individuals”) and the pathways to “full-time employment.” The story of Bryce Gualdoni, who secured internships and is pursuing a successful career, exemplifies the connection between education and achieving decent work.

• SDG 2: Zero Hunger

  While not explicitly discussing hunger, the article’s entire context is the agricultural industry, which is fundamental to food production and security. By focusing on the need to attract and train a “next generation” of agricultural professionals, the article addresses the human resource capacity required to maintain and improve sustainable food production systems for the future.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

• Under SDG 4: Quality Education
  • Target 4.4: By 2030, substantially increase the number of youth and adults who have relevant skills, including technical and vocational skills, for employment, decent jobs and entrepreneurship.

    The article directly supports this target by describing how WIU is preparing students with relevant skills. Professor Hoge notes that students “embrace the hands-on nature and technologically advanced aspects of the agricultural industry,” which are the exact skills needed for modern employment in the sector.

• Under SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth
  • Target 8.5: By 2030, achieve full and productive employment and decent work for all women and men, including for young people…

    The article emphasizes the high demand for labor and the availability of “full-time employment” for young graduates. Professor Hoge’s statement, “if you show up and you have a little bit of work ethic, you can go right to the top,” points to a strong job market and opportunities for productive employment for youth entering the field.

  • Target 8.6: By 2020, substantially reduce the proportion of youth not in employment, education or training.

    Although the target date has passed, the principle remains relevant. The article showcases a direct pathway from education to employment, facilitated by the university. Bryce Gualdoni’s experience of getting help with “jobs throughout my first couple of years with internships” is a clear example of an initiative that reduces the risk of youth being not in employment, education, or training (NEET) after graduation.

• Under SDG 2: Zero Hunger
  • Target 2.4: By 2030, ensure sustainable food production systems and implement resilient agricultural practices…

    The article addresses the foundational requirement for this target: a skilled and motivated workforce. The focus on “Getting to the next generation, advocating, telling people about agriculture,” as stated by student Kaden Little, is crucial for ensuring there are enough trained professionals to implement and sustain modern, resilient agricultural practices in the future.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

The article does not mention official SDG indicators, but it implies several qualitative and quantitative measures of progress:

• For SDG 4 (Quality Education):
  • Availability of Internships: Bryce Gualdoni’s mention of getting “jobs throughout my first couple of years with internships” implies that the number and quality of internship placements can be an indicator of providing students with relevant vocational skills (Target 4.4).
  • Student Skill Acquisition: The mention of students embracing “technologically advanced aspects” suggests that the proportion of students trained in modern agricultural technologies could be a measure of progress.
• For SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth):
  • Employment Rate of Graduates: The statement that “you can go right to the top of whatever you would like to do for full-time employment” strongly implies a high employment rate for graduates of the program, which is a direct measure of achieving full and productive employment (Target 8.5).
  • Industry Demand for Labor: The description of the industry as “craving talented, driven individuals” and the problem being “we don’t have enough of them” serves as a qualitative indicator of a strong job market with numerous opportunities for youth (Target 8.5).
• For SDG 2 (Zero Hunger):
  • Number of New Entrants to the Agricultural Sector: The article’s focus on attracting the “next generation” and students like Bryce Gualdoni who “did not grow up with agriculture” implies that a key indicator of future sustainability is the number of young people, including those from non-agricultural backgrounds, choosing careers in the industry (Target 2.4).

SDG Analysis Summary Table

Source: brownfieldagnews.com