A coalition with an aim to equip the next generation of agricultural workers with new skills hopes to make the sector “fit for the future”.
The industry coalition, which includes the NFU, AHDB, agricultural colleges and leading food producers, have united to back a transformation in farming skills and recruitment.
Skills development has been recognised as a key factor to bridge the UK agricultural productivity gap to other nations, with less than 35% of UK farmers having any formal management training.
Helen Woolley, currently Director General of the CLA, has been appointed as the new Chair of the skills leadership group.
The skills leadership group aims to deliver a new agriculture and horticulture skills plan within wider Industrial Strategy proposals to accelerate growth across the sector.
It will create a framework with new qualifications relevant to the needs of employers in the future, develop career paths and fresh approaches to recruitment, and encourage mechanisms for continued professional development and business support.
Ms Woolley said the skills gap has not appeared overnight, but developed over decades.
“It is why we need to address the downturn now more than ever to deliver Brexit with a highly skilled and professional workforce,” she said.
“We have farmers and growers shaping activity with Matthew Naylor, Simon Gadd and Oli Lee, as well as vital support from retailers and manufacturers, such as Sainsbury’s and Nestlé.”
The coalition
Helen Woolley – Country Land & Business Association
Lord Donald Curry of Kirkeharle CBE
Richard Longthorp OBE – AgriSkills Forum
Dr David Llewellyn – Harper Adams University
Simon Gadd – National Farmers’ Union
Oliver Lee – Farmer
Jane King – AHDB
Louisa Bagshaw – Defra
Jonathan Back - Defra
Janet Swadling – Former SRUC chief executive, AHDB board member
John Shropshire OBE – chairman, G’s Fresh
Beverly Dixon – group HR director, G’s Fresh
Guy Smith – NFU deputy president
Matthew Naylor – managing director, Naylor Flowers
Tess Howe – AHDB
Invited universities and colleges
Over the next few months, the coalition is keen to hear from individuals and organisations who want to join and add expertise to the work-streams. If you are interested to get involved, please contact a href="mailto:tess.howe@ahdb.org.uk">Tess Howe.
