Kingston Maurward College in Dorset is enjoying a bumper year with a record number of students signing up to study agriculture. KATIE ROEBUCK dropped in to find out the secrets behind their success.
It's been a busy 12 months for staff and students at Kingston Maurward College.
All the agricultural courses at the Dorchester college have seen an increase in student numbers, an accolade even the toughest of industry cynics would find difficult to argue against.
The biggest intake has been agricultural apprentices with a whopping one hundred per cent increase compared to figures in the previous year – 24 school leavers are on the course which is double the amount of the year before.
Principal David Henley attributes the success of the college to many different things. "For so long the view of the industry was that it was a terrible place to make a career. We don't see it like that. Those that are needed must be more skilled than ever before. There aren't many jobs where you have to apply a range of skills from paperwork through to animal husbandry," he says.
To meet the demands of the industry, the curriculum at Kingston Maurward has understandably diversified into new areas. Many are related to agriculture such as animal care, but outdoor education and sports leadership are attracting students from all over the country.
Land in the south west is frequently used for recreational and sporting purposes such as sailing and cycling and the college has noticed an increase in the need for trained professionals.
"Despite that, we have stayed true to our agricultural roots. It has always been our clear purpose and it's pleasing to see that tenacity of sticking with the curriculum has been an increase in interest."