Attracting and training the future and current workforce is critical if Scottish farming is to be profitable and thrive in the future according to NFU Scotland.
The Union met with Jamie Hepburn MSP, Minister for Higher Education and Further Education, Youth Employment and Training at Dumfries and Galloway College’s Stranraer Campus today (23 September) to discuss the industry’s workforce needs. The meeting was kindly arranged by Emma Harper South Scotland MSP, following a parliamentary question to the Minister earlier this year.
NFU Scotland used the meeting to urge the Scottish Government to continue to work with the agricultural sector on measures that enables the farming community to attract workers by supporting training and skills development, the adoption of new technologies and positively promoting career opportunities.
Specific requests from NFU Scotland include the development of more formal Continual Professional Development (CPD) programmes; greater recognition at school level of opportunities for employment in the agri-food sector; further development of apprenticeship schemes and recognition that training within the agricultural workforce can present specific issues around remoteness, transport and connectivity.
Speaking after the meeting, Chair of NFU Scotland’s Education and Skills Committee, Jamie Smart said: “A skilled workforce is central to maintaining the capacity for farm businesses to produce food in the months and years ahead and that must be a priority for governments and the supply chain.
“Whilst agriculture provides many attractive career opportunities, the reality is that the farming sector is facing serious labour issues on several fronts. There is a shortage of seasonal workers, permanent experienced staff and new workers coming into the sector.
“As farming is made up of many family-run businesses which do not have a human resources capability, this makes the process of recruiting even more daunting when it happens.”
NFU Scotland Policy Assistant Lucy McGillivray, who also attended the meeting added: “We welcome the opportunity to discuss the industry’s training and skills development needs with both the Minister, Jamie Hepburn MSP and Emma Harper MSP.
“It is in all our interests that the sector is in the best shape for producing sustainable high-quality food, enhancing biodiversity and tackling climate change and a skilled, motivated workforce will be crucial to delivering on all these fronts.” Ends