Our response to Horticulture Sector Committee recommendations

Among them is a call for TIAH to play a leading role in attracting new talent into the industry throughout the UK. The Committee highlights the need for the workforce to be optimally skilled, particularly to be able to fully capitalise upon data-driven technology, which is so important to a sustainable future for the sector. 

In response to these recommendations, TIAH’s Chief Executive Stephen Jacob said: “We are pleased the Committee has recognised TIAH’s vital role in attracting much-needed new and diverse talent to the UK’s horticulture sector and in helping to ensure the entire workforce is suitably skilled for the future.

Recommendations core to TIAH's mission

“Both recommendations lie at the very heart of TIAH’s mission. We were established with the support of the UK Government and the agriculture and horticulture industry to address the careers and skills challenges that will help secure a thriving, sustainable future for UK food production. Our work is focused on showcasing the range of challenging, exciting, and rewarding careers in growing and farming, and to encourage and support everyone working in the sector to embrace lifelong learning.

“Since 2022, we've garnered wide-ranging support for a cross-industry careers action plan to address the issues that present barriers to people pursuing horticultural careers. It's particularly timely to see the Horticulture Sector Committee’s report published during Green Careers Week, which is about attracting a diverse range of newcomers into careers that make a difference to people and the planet, as horticulture so clearly does.

Making it easier to find the right training

“Attracting new talent goes hand in hand with ensuring everyone working in farming and growing is suitably skilled, whatever their stage or level of experience. In January, we'll formally launch our new online service, which we've developed to make it easier for people to assess their existing skills and to find and access the right training. This will be open to the farming and growing workforce across the UK."

Former TIAH Chief Executive and current Board member Janet Swadling OBE gave evidence at the Horticulture Committee’s inquiry in March 2023. You can view the session online or find out more about the Horticulture Sector Committee review.