National FFA Leader Sitting on National Workforce Readiness Council

National FFA, Scott Stump has been selected to sit on the National Work Readiness Council-

“Originally it was formed by the US Chamber of Commerce almost two decades ago. So in the early 2000s, when we were in somewhat the same shape we're in right now of not having enough bodies that have the skills necessary to step into the workplaces that are needed to grow businesses across all industries.”

This is the first time that the ag industry has had a seat at this council and stump says it is important to be at the table. He explains some of the work that the National FFA Association has done in trying to find out exactly what workforce gaps there are.

“Specifically in the agriculture area. And we just did a gap analysis two years ago, expanding our work around ag tech and really looking at the applications of the emerging technology that's coming out not just from the use but more importantly from the servicing and the maintenance and the installation of that technology and then work around sustainability.”

Stump says to address that gap, the National FFA has created ag explorer 2.0 which allows students to explore career options which now include sustainability ag tech in skilled trades. As for the council says they hope to share successful programs and resources to help students and adults re-engage in their career to look at filling the mentioned workforce gaps.