Student Survey Shows AgTEC is Creating Pathways to Higher-Skill Agricultural Careers
- 3 days ago
- 3 min read
A new survey of AgTEC students is providing powerful evidence that the program is helping Central Valley workers gain new technical skills, advance their careers, and continue their education. Conducted by ARKEN Strategies, the survey (linked here) gathered responses via AirTable from 50 current students and recent graduates across Reedley College, Clovis Community College, and Fresno City College during May and June 2026.
Designed to prepare workers for the rapidly changing future of agriculture, AgTEC was created through collaboration between community colleges, industry partners, and organizations across the F3 ecosystem to help workers develop the technical skills needed for today’s agricultural workforce. The survey results demonstrate that this approach is working.
Key Findings
94% of students rated the AgTEC program as Excellent or Good
90% said they gained new technical skills through the program
94% plan to continue their education after completing AgTEC
98% expressed some level of continued educational intent, showing AgTEC serves as a launchpad—not a finish line
72% of participants had worked in field labor before the program, compared to just 20% afterward, suggesting movement into more technical and supervisory roles
24% reported entering a new occupational field
12% earned a promotion while participating in the program
100% reported feeling confident in the skills they gained, and 98% felt prepared to apply those skills on the job
The survey also paints a picture of the students behind the statistics. Most participants are working adults balancing careers and family responsibilities, with 38% between the ages of 35 and 44. Nearly two-thirds entered the program with a high school diploma or less, and 22% traveled more than 50 miles to attend classes. While 50% were already working in agriculture, 6% had never worked in the industry before, demonstrating AgTEC’s ability to both upskill current workers and welcome new talent into agricultural careers.
Perhaps the most encouraging finding is students’ desire to keep learning. Many respondents said they plan to pursue additional education in fields such as agronomy, welding, HVAC, solar technology, nursing, and college degree programs. Rather than serving as a standalone credential, AgTEC is helping students build confidence, develop technical skills, and see new possibilities for their future.
IMPLICATIONS FOR WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT POLICY AND PRACTICE
Bilingual design is infrastructure. Thirty percent (30%) of respondents completed this survey in Spanish. Language support was available always or sometimes for 100% of students. A program that did not build language access into its core structure would not reach this population—and the population would not stay.
Hybrid delivery is a structural equity mechanism. Fifty-six percent (56%) of respondents named work schedule as a barrier to education. A traditional semester-based, on-campus-only model is categorically incompatible with this workforce. Hybrid delivery is not a convenience feature. It is what makes participation possible.
Short-term credentials function as on-ramps, not endpoints. Ninety-eight percent (98%) of respondents expressed intent to continue their education. Policymakers who evaluate certificate programs solely on terminal wage outcomes are measuring the wrong variable for this population.
Instructor quality is a program quality variable. Seventy percent (70%) of students engaged with instructors at high frequency. Students named instructors in qualitative responses more than any other program element. Retention and professional development of instructional staff is not an HR function. It is a program outcomes function.
Longitudinal wage tracking is a program accountability requirement. Current wage data provides a baseline. Without 12- and 24-month follow-up, the program cannot make its strongest case to funders or demonstrate its full return on investment for workers.
These findings reinforce the importance of investing in workforce pathways that are designed around the realities of today’s agricultural workforce. By combining industry-informed curriculum, flexible hybrid learning, bilingual support, and strong partnerships across education and employers, AgTEC is helping prepare the next generation of skilled agricultural professionals while creating new opportunities for workers across California’s Central Valley.
The survey was researched, analyzed, and authored by ARKEN Strategies, which serves as the backbone intermediary for the AgTEC program, coordinating collaboration among community colleges, employers, and workforce partners across the region.
Read the full study at:
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