Co-Op Launches Recruitment Tool To Tap Talent In A New Way

Co-Alliance has created a new program to bring on team members in a strategic way. Seeking high school graduates who were in FFA and aren’t pursuing college, the co-op will bring on two team members after the spring of 2024 who will rotate through its business units and then serve a two-year extendable employment opportunity. 

Lindsey Sankey, a marketing specialist at Co-Alliance, explains the new program, SEED (Securing Experience and Employee Development), has the goal of resulting in long-term employment that is rewarding and fulfilling.

SEED is one way Co-Alliance wants to bring in new talent and promote opportunities at the co-op, which is a very timely issue as it seeks to add new team members. 

“We have many valuable employees that are going to be enjoying the next phase of their life with retirement, and we need to find people now to join our team to start filling those shoes and learn from the tenured employees we have,” Sankey says. 

Co-Alliance has 1,100 employees, and Sankey highlights the variety of roles across its footprint and communities. 

SEED gives participants four-month rotations through agronomy, energy, grain, swine & animal nutrition, and corporate. 

“We are more focused on someone’s willingness to learn and do some heavy lifting,” she says. “This program is strategically designed for non-college-bound graduates who are ready to get work rather than report to a classroom."

The co-op has committed to support the team members with all further accreditation or training, including drone operation licenses, propane safety, etc. 

“Besides growth in numbers, it's all about the growth in the people,” Sankey says. “We want to invest and put into these two individuals so much that they believe in the culture of Co-Alliance. The goal is they believe in the mission of Co-Alliance which is our mission to lead, grow, give and remember.