Growing interest in farming - Duchy College Cornwall
Farming has finally kicked its poor public image and is now enjoying renewed interest from students and apprentices, according to Cornwall’s Duchy College.
Speaking ahead of this week’s Royal Cornwall Show, Curriculum Area Manager for Agriculture Charles Atkinson said the College had attracted a record number of agriculture students for the second year in a row, with apprenticeships proving particularly popular.
"We are really delighted – I think there is a bit more optimism in agriculture, and for several years our students have had no problems getting jobs after their studies." With more than 260 agriculture students this year the department is even taking on extra staff.
The number of students taking part-time courses while working on farms has soared by 25% year-on-year, to 145, says Work-Based Learning Manager Chris Shepherd. "Apprenticeships offer the best of both worlds – students can earn while they learn, and employers know they are getting the best workforce possible, backed by real experience and qualifications."
Some 40% of students are not from farming backgrounds, which is particularly exciting, he adds. "This is a generation which has grown up in tough times for agriculture. It is great news that so many young people are keen to join the industry and take it forward."
Farmers face increasing pressures to produce more food from limited land resources, while impacting less on the environment, says Melanie Hall, South West Director of the NFU. A reliable and skilled workforce is therefore essential to help meet these demands.
"Investing in our young people today and tomorrow will be a crucial factor. That investment; of time, money and strategic policy resource, should be a shared and long-term responsibility that filters through every aspect of educational policy."
Diana Williams, an apprentice in her third year of training at Duchy College, has put much of her new knowledge into her family’s farm, including setting up her own new enterprise with an automatic calf feeder.
"I buy in 80 dairy calves a year over the summer when we are less busy, to spread the workload and income. It is working really well. In this climate, being able to have a job at such a young age is a big benefit. If I ever want to move on I will have all the experience and qualifications behind me."
The new generation of young, skilled, and qualified workers is something to be proud of, adds Duchy assessor David Carlyon. "The agriculture industry is continually moving on, and it’s difficult to overestimate the value of a new young face on farm with new ideas.
These students see farming as a dynamic industry that is producing something which is vital to the nation. There are so many new technologies – precision farming, genetics and so on – and they need to embrace that to become modern farmers. It is very exciting."
