Group membership designed to help you address skills and staff shortages

Skills and labour shortages are placing significant pressure on farm businesses, says TIAH Chief Executive, Stephen Jacob.

“TIAH’s 2022 report found 63% of UK farm businesses reported difficulties in filling certain roles, with 39% of these roles sitting empty for more than a month," he says.

“To support long-term resilience and sustainability in agriculture and horticulture, we have to address these labour and skills gaps.”

Stephen says replacing a member of staff can cost the equivalent of more than a year’s salary. This is based on various factors, including the loss of productivity and skills, and the time spent recruiting and training the new member of staff.

Encouraging farm businesses to use group membership, Stephen says: “By making use of our online service to actively support and recognise lifelong learning, farm businesses will build a reputation for professionalism and innovation, making them more attractive as employers.”

Standing out as an employer of choice

Linda Christoffersson, our Head of Membership, says group membership will help farm businesses stand out as employers of choice while also saving them time and money.

“Our new offering helps farm businesses streamline team training with a manager's view of online learning activity, allowing instant oversight of course completions and training needs,” she says.

The online service includes a document management feature, allowing farmers and growers to upload and securely store critical documents – such as nutrient management plans, insurance policies and training certificates – and set expiry reminders to alert when renewals are due.

Additional tools to save time and money

Linda says: “This feature streamlines administrative tasks and supports compliance, saving farmers and growers valuable time and money so they can focus on the business.”

Our group membership also provides digital tools and resources tailored to the unique needs of farm businesses, regardless of size. Each team member is given a tailored learning journey that aligns with their role and development goals.

TIAH membership is already resonating with the next generation of talent, who increasingly value professional development. 

Linda says: “Strong uptake of our student membership has shown that the next generation put a strong emphasis on structured learning and expect learning opportunities from their employers.

Drive performance by advancing staff skills

“Group membership enables farm businesses to meet these expectations, positioning them as preferred employers in a competitive market, helping them retain staff and contributing to better overall farm performance in the long-term.”

Read more about our group membership offer and find out how it can help you manage your staff's skills.