Agri-skills conference will discuss industry challenges

The region’s agricultural industry will come together at a conference next week to discuss the challenge of narrowing the skills gap in food and farming businesses.

The skills conference, which takes place at Lynford Hall near Thetford on Wednesday 11 March, will bring together agricultural organisations, employers, young people and representatives from education and training providers to discuss what the industry needs to do to help secure a workforce for the future.

Speakers include David Llewellyn, Vice-Chancellor of Harper Adams University, who will discuss workforce issues and the need for training for young people.

Dan Corlett, Chief Executive of FACE (Farming And Countryside Education), will be speaking about the importance of inspiring the younger generation.

Will Hinton will update delegates on the business he set up with his £10,000 prize.


Being held during National Apprenticeships Week, the conference is organised by EDGE, a government-funded project which has placed more than 400 apprentices in work placements since spring 2013.

EDGE project manager Richard Self said: “Over the past two years we have started to make an impact in addressing the industry’s workforce challenges. However we are aware that there is still a huge amount of work to be done to make sure that employers have the skilled staff they need for the future.

“Agricultural businesses are becoming increasingly hi-tech and there is huge demand for skilled workers, so we need to act now to make sure that we’re in a position to offer excellent opportunities to new entrants and encourage them to join this dynamic and exciting industry.”