Lincoln, NE — The Nebraska Ag Expo is thrilled to announce its highly anticipated third annual Career Exploration Event, set to take place amid the Nebraska Ag Expo on December 10-12, 2024. This event invites students from middle school, high school, and college to delve into a world of career opportunities in agriculture and the equipment dealer industry. Approximately 500 students from across Nebraska are expected to attend.

The equipment dealer industry is a thriving sector offering incentives like generous pay, competitive benefits, tuition reimbursement, scholarships, apprenticeship programs, on-the-job training, and access to state-of-the-art technology. The Career Exploration Event aims to educate students about these incredible prospects, inspiring them to consider a future in this industry.

“We believe in fostering a passion for agriculture and empowering the next generation of professionals,” said Mark Hennessey, president/CEO of the Iowa-Nebraska Equipment Dealers Association (INEDA), which owns and manages the Nebraska Ag Expo. “Our Career Exploration Event provides a unique platform for students to learn directly from industry experts, meet representatives from their local dealerships, and witness firsthand the exciting advancements in agricultural equipment.”

Accompanied by employees from equipment dealerships in Nebraska, students will have the unique opportunity to connect with dealers from their own local communities at the event, facilitating conversations that directly relate to their specific regions and fostering a sense of community engagement.

At the event, students will experience a guided tour of the Nebraska Ag Expo, explore major manufacturer booths showcasing cutting-edge agriculture technology, discover the value of a two-year education at Nebraska’s community colleges (plus tuition reimbursement!), and find out how to receive up to $3,000 toward their training.

The lack of available workers is having a profound impact on the equipment industry, with an estimated 350-400 job openings at equipment dealerships in Nebraska alone. That number is expected to more than double over the next five years as current employees retire.

As a dedicated advocate for the equipment dealer industry, INEDA remains steadfast in its commitment to cultivating workforce development solutions. Through outreach like the Career Exploration Event and the Andrew Goodman Scholarship Program, INEDA actively nurtures the next generation of professionals. This year, INEDA awarded $88,500 in scholarships for the 2023-2024 academic year to 66 students in Iowa, Nebraska, Colorado, and Wyoming pursuing careers in Iowa and Nebraska equipment dealerships.

Do you know any students who want to learn more about career opportunities in agriculture and the equipment dealer industry? Reach out to Phil Erdman at phile@ineda.com or 402.429.5726. We’ll connect you with equipment dealers in your area to get you started!

About the Nebraska Ag Expo

The Nebraska Ag Expo is December 10-12, 2024 at the Lancaster Event Center in Lincoln, NE. Hours are 9:00-4:00pm Tuesday and Wednesday and 9:00am-3:00pm Thursday. Regular admission is $10 at the door, and visitors can purchase tickets online in advance to save $5 per ticket. Student tickets are free with a valid student ID (high school or college).

The Nebraska Ag Expo is owned and managed by the Iowa-Nebraska Equipment Dealers Association (INEDA). The show is sponsored by: Diamond Sponsors – Farm Credit Services of America and AgDirect; Platinum Sponsors – Bayer CropScience and Nebraska Farm Bureau; Gold Sponsors – Stine Seed Company and Sukup Manufacturing; Silver Sponsor – Spraytec; and Media Sponsors – Midwest Messenger and Rural Radio Network.

Contact
Cindy Feldman, Marketing Director
Iowa-Nebraska Equipment Dealers Association (INEDA)
M: 515.508.1313 | E: cindyf@ineda.com

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