Agrovista UK Ltd, the leading agronomy specialist, crop protection and amenity product distributor has announced a major investment in staff and training with the appointment of 8 trainees to work within its’ arable business. The trainees, drawn from all over the UK will be based within existing sales teams to gain valuable insight and experience in the crop protection industry.
James Robertson, Agrovista managing director comments "We have examined our customers’ needs and the age profile within the business over the next 5 years. This has identified some areas we need to recruit into to help develop and sustain the business for the future. This project has resulted in a major trainee development programme. For 2008, 8 have now joined with a national geographic spread. All the candidates will now take part in the Agrovista Graduate Training Programme."
This recruitment programme will roll over a number of years, highlighting the future in British food and farming, and is the largest single trainee recruitment programme since the 90’s.
The new staff will be assigned to agronomy teams across the UK to improve their skills and knowledge of the crop protection industry.
Tom Abbott Tom has a national diploma in agriculture from Bishop Burton college, and recently has been in practical farming based near York. Tom will be based in the Morpeth team.
Luke Hardy Luke studied Agriculture at the University of the West of England, Bristol, gaining a BSc in Agriculture and Land Management. He then completed an MSc in Crop Protection at Harper Adams University College and for the past 12 months has been a Field Trials Officer at the Crop & Environmental Research Centre, Harper Adams University College. Luke will be based in the Shrewsbury team.
Timothy Martyn Tim worked for IGER for 20 years, and has also done some environmental project work and is now looking to develop a career in agronomy. Tim will be based in the Liskeard team.
Lewis McKerrow Lewis studied Agriculture at Aberdeen University gaining a BSc, since then he has been an assistant farm manager. Lewis will be based in the Elgin team.
Grant Reid Grant gained a BSc at the Scottish Agricultural College and recently has been a technician with the Potato Research Organisation. Grant will be based in the Elgin team.
Alison Ruddock Alison gained a BSc in Equine Science at the University of Lincoln and will be based in the Newark team.
Ben Thorpe Ben has just completed his BSc in Agriculture at Harper Adams University College and will be based in the Amesbury team. He originally comes from Sussex.
Neil Wooliscroft Neil gained a BSc in Agriculture and Crop Management at Harper Adams University College, followed by an MSc in Crop Protection. Neil will be based in the Evesham team.
The trainees will go through intensive technical training to bring their agronomic skills up to standard. This will include achieving BASIS, FACTS and BETA qualifications to allow them to practise in crop protection. They will work alongside established agronomists and technical teams, as well as with distribution colleagues, so they have a full understanding of the needs of farmers and growers across the UK.
