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Over the next five years, employers in food, agriculture and natural resources will be competing for students with management and business skills, according to a report published by the U.S. Department of Agriculture and Purdue University.
Employment Forecast in the U.S. Food, Agricultural and Natural Resources System 2005-10 predicts the careers with the greatest demand will be sales and marketing, food safety and biosecurity, food system biotechnologies, and consumer information technologies. These fields are expected to have more openings than qualified applicants.
Employers will look for graduates with strong technical and communication skills who can work well in team environments, says Allan Goecker, associate director of academic programs and principal author of the report. Strong business skills are also an important asset for which employers are searching.
 According to the report, four major factors will influence employment opportunities over the next five years.
• Consumers and their preferences.
• New developments in science and technology.
• Evolving business structure in the U.S. food system.
• Public policy choices and food system security.
The report, which was co-authored by Jeffrey Gilmore, Ella Smith and Gregory Smith, is based on statistics produced by the USDA, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and the National Center for Education Statistics. It is available online at faeis.ahnrit.vt.edu/supplydemand/2005-2010. Printed copies are available from Purdue Extension's Education Store.
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