BBCC Launches Agricultural Mechanic Program

Starting in the winter quarter, Big Bend Community College will launch a new agricultural Mechanic program. BBCC’s Tiffany Fondren said not only will the program prepare students for entry level mechanic positions, it will meet a growing need in farming locally and regionally.

“Right now there’s such an advancement in machinery and equipment in the Ag world, and there was a need among employers in the area for some of these skilled technicians, specifically trained for the machinery that you run across in the Ag world.”

Fondren added field technicians have the potential of making between $49,000 to $65,000 per year. That ranks eastern Washington as on of the highest paying regions in the country for that industry.

“Agriculture is king in our area.  I want to say the last figures we saw, about 27% of jobs with in Grant County specifically are for the agricultural sector.”

Those that participate in the Agricultural Mechanic program will have the option of pursuing either a one-year certificate or a two-year associate’s degree. The winter quarter in Moses Lake starts January 4^th.

To learn more about the new Agricultural Mechanic program, contact BBCC Agriculture Mechanics Specialist Brett Iksic at (509) 793-2258 or via e-mail.

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