BBC talks to TIAH about the need for new farming and growing talent
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BBC talks to TIAH about the need to bring new talent into the industry
BBC talks to TIAH about the need to bring new talent into the industry
National and local reporters from the BBC were in attendance at the Dairy Show on October 2, 2024, to report on the staffing difficulties farmers and growers are facing.
They also spoke to Ruthie Peterson, TIAH Careers Manager, to find out more about the issues facing the sector and how stereotypes still hide the truth about jobs in agriculture and horticulture.
Talking to BBC Points West, which covers parts of Wiltshire, Gloucestershire, Somerset and Dorset, Ruthie spoke about how even the larger employers in the sector are struggling to find staff with the right skills. You can watch the full clip above and read the BBC’s business report on the story too.
Ruthie was also interviewed for BBC Radio 4’s Farming Today, where she spoke about how the stereotypes around farming are still putting people off the sector.
You can listen to the report below or visit the BBC website to listen to the whole episode.
The end of the employee lifecycle is a chance to start something new
Ruthie also discussed employment pathways with Sarah Dyke, Liberal Democrat MP for Glastonbury and Somerton.
Ruthie says: “We spoke about how young people are now less likely to envisage a career spent in one role in one place. With this in mind, progressive employers need to consider that developing their staff might mean they move on and new staff take their place.”
Ruthie also met Robert Drewett, the President of The Royal Bath & West of England Society, to talk about pathways/initiatives for young people interested in the dairy sector and wider industry. Having attended a seminar about the difficulties the sector was having in recruiting, he was keen to find out more about TIAH’s virtual work experience project.
And the discussions around labour issues really struck a chord with some local farmers, too. Ruthie heard from several such farmers who were concerned about the pipelines for new talent.
Ruthie says: "These farmers wanted to be able to source future staff from apprenticeship schemes at local ag colleges but said they had so far struggled trying to do this."
Efforts needed to maintain children's enthusiasm for the sector
Finally, David Llewellyn at Lantra also posed questions about working collaboratively and keeping secondary-age youngsters involved in the industry. Like Ruthie, many farmers agreed that there seemed to be an ongoing issue of children rapidly losing interest in farming as they progressed through school, which is a great shame given the widespread enthusiasm for the sector among those at primary school.
Overall, the event was vibrant, well attended and noisy—all of which bodes well for the industry's future, even if there continue to be some concerns about how we can attract more new talent.
To find out more about how to handle the employee lifecycle and embrace new opportunities when staff leave, members can watch our webinar Hiring for the long term with Alistair Gibb, of Cedar Associates.
And you can find more information on how you can benefit your own business while giving new starters a chance by reading our information on T Levels.