Farming must explain itself better to attract young talent

A lack of understanding about farming and horticulture and a dated perception of the industry are major barriers to attracting and recruiting the next generation of workers, new research commissioned by the Institute for Agriculture and Horticulture (TIAH) suggests.

But once the sectors have been properly explained by those likely to influence their career choices, young people appreciate there are exciting job opportunities.

Lord Curry of Kirkharle, TIAH’s project sponsor and consultation group chair, said the report was a “wake-up call” and it was essential the industry responded quickly if it wanted to compete in the jobs market.

See also: Opinion: No shortage of young people keen to get into farming

“It is a real concern that potentially exciting careers in agriculture and horticulture are not even being considered by career advisors and teachers,” said Lord Curry. “For me that was probably the most disappointing piece in the report.”

Report findings

Research agency Family Kids and Youth held 14 focus groups that included young people, careers teachers and teachers in England.

In addition, 1,014 young people aged between 13 and 23, as well as 532 parents or grandparents, and 263 teachers were interviewed in England.

The research took place between November 2021 and March 2022.

Barbie Clarke, who led the research, said school curriculums had struggled to reflect the changes in modern farming, but once pupils were given a glimpse, they became much more enthusiastic about the career options.

“In the focus groups we did, we showed a film from the University of Lincoln Agri Robotics and Dyson vertical farming, and that changed their perception hugely.”

Dr Clarke said farming jobs linked to Stem (science, technology, engineering and maths) subjects that involved work to reverse climate change particularly appealed.

“Young people and children are very concerned about the environment and would love to be part of helping and adding resources to that,” said Dr Clarke.

The research also suggests many urban young people feel very detached from farming.

Dr Clarke said that if the sector could get the right, up-to-date information to influencers such as parents, teachers and career advisers, then the industry will attract more young talent.

Collaboration is key

 NFU chief education manager Josh Payne said early intervention and collaboration was key to inspiring young people into farming, and the industry must work together better on its messaging.

“The challenge is big and the only way we will get there is through collaboration,” he said.

Mr Payne added it was crucial to lobby government, and backed Henry Dimbleby’s calls for the reintroduction of a food A Level, and said Stem subjects had to be better linked to modern farming.

TIAH is planning to hold a round table discussion in the House of Lords in the autumn on the report’s findings.