Service set to keep businesses staffed during crisis

NFU Scotland is backing a new skills matching hub designed to help livestock farm businesses should coronavirus affect their workforce.

The service, provided through Lantra Scotland, will look to match up employers with the right potential employees.

It looks to hear from individuals with skills and experience in areas such as general agriculture, animal care and machine operation who are perhaps looking for work, a career change, or even those who are just happy to lend a hand, if needed.

To join the skills matching service, visit www.scotland.lantra.co.uk/skills-matching-service. Find out more by contacting Lantra Scotland on 01738 310164 or emailing SMS@lantra.co.uk 

NFU Scotland Policy Manager Penny Middleton said: “During the Covid-19 epidemic, work carries on for farmers but that does not leave them, or their workers, immune to infection or a need to isolate.

“Farmers or crofters advertising for skilled individuals for specific roles may easily be overrun with applicants.  This hub will help ensure those with the right skills can be more easily identified.

“As well it being important to ensure continuity and avoid animal welfare problems resulting from illness or staff absences, farms and other key rural businesses need to be able to access the wider skilled and experienced workers they may require.

“The Lantra ‘hub’ will filter and match requirement and demand. This will include key skills required by farms and other land-based businesses (such as telehandlers, tractor work, livestock handling etc.) or where animal welfare might be a priority.

“It will also track students and workers to effectively ‘filter’ applicants for farmers and other key rural land-based businesses to streamline the process. Lantra and Scottish Government have been in touch with vet schools and agricultural colleges and asked them to contact students who may be available to help out during this difficult time, asking them to register directly with Lantra.”

Notes to Editors

• If you have relevant skills/experience in working with animals or more general farm work and may be in a position to help out during this National Crisis please contact SMS@lantra.co.uk or your local Machinery Ring http://scottishmachineryrings.co.uk/contact/, outlining your relevant skills and experience and how you might be able to help.
• NFU Scotland’s own dedicated channel for employment opportunities on Scottish soft fruit and vegetable farms can be viewed at: https://www.nfus.org.uk/coronavirus/employment-opportunities-on-farms.aspx
  

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Contact Bob Carruth on 0131 472 4006