Introducing the New Great Bend Co-op Application Technician Program

October is National Co-op Month. What better time to kick off a new initiative than during a month celebrating cooperatives? Beginning this month, Great Bend Co-op will start visiting local schools to familiarize students on the careers in agriculture at cooperatives, and to introduce the exciting new Application Technician Program.
 
The Application Technician Program is a new initiative by Great Bend Co-op to help students understand that there are rewarding, great paying careers in agriculture that may not require a traditional four-year college degree. Through this program, Great Bend Co-op will provide a full scholarship to up to five students to go through an approved Applicator Program at either Barton Community College or Pratt Community College. The students selected will also be offered a paid summer internship with Great Bend Co-op and a part-time position while they go through the program. They will have the opportunity to spend time with the various positions within the Great Bend Co-op Agronomy and Seed departments during the internship portion of their experience, as well. Students will also be highly encouraged and given the opportunity to study and earn their Commercial Driver’s License.

Students can complete an applicator technology course in under 2 years and be working full time, making great money with full benefits. Application Technicians are typically self-motivated individuals who enjoy working in a fast-paced career with the latest technology. Great Bend Co-op’s Agronomy department continues to grow and expand. With 11 Liquid Machines, Four Dry Machines, one Lime Machine, and multiple liquid and dry tender trucks, application technicians are in constant demand. In 2020, Great Bend Co-op covered over 440,000 acres with agronomy products. We offer a full line of Precision Ag products and programs and have six Agronomists on our team who provide exceptional agronomic advice to producers in the area. With this team, Great Bend Co-op is a fantastic employer who will offer positive guidance to help new team members gain confidence and experience as an Application Technician.

To be selected for the Application Technician Program, students must fill out an application, include a cover letter explaining why they should be considered for the program, their career goals, and why they are interested in working in agriculture, submit a reference letter, pass through a full interview process, and be accepted to one of the select applicator programs. To receive the scholarship, the selected applicants will sign a 2-year agreement to work for Great Bend Co-op after completing the coursework. Although we will be visiting High Schools in the area, this program is open to anyone over the age of 18 who wishes to go through the program.

If you, or someone you know, is interested in applying for the Application Technician Program, please visit www.greatbendcoop.com/careers for more information and an application.