Food and farming attract record number of apprentices

A record number of young people are seeking careers in food and farming, the latest Defra figures show.

More than 36,000 applications for farming-related apprenticeships – in agriculture, horticulture and animal care – were made in the sector in 2013-14. This figures represents a ninefold increase since 2010.

Last year, the government helped more than 7,000 young people embark on agricultural-related apprenticeships – an increase of 25% since 2010. A further 3,700 apprentices joined food manufacturing firms.

See also: Drive to inspire young to choose farming career

The figures were released by Defra during National Apprenticeship Week, which runs from 9-13 March.

They are a timely boost for the farming industry, which needs to recruit an estimated 60,000 more employees by 2020 to replace an ageing workforce.

Defra secretary Liz Truss said: “There has never been a more exciting time to be involved in food and farming and record numbers of young people are looking to this high-tech industry as a great career choice.

“From engineers to scientists, marketers or economists – the range of careers available in these sectors is vast.

“That is why we are working with industry to increase the number of apprenticeships in these areas, to give talented young people access to cutting-edge technology that will help the UK lead the world in food and farming.”

The food and farming sector contributes £103bn annually to the UK economy and employs one in eight people in this country. Farming alone contributes about £26bn each year.

Defra said the food and farming industry was working across the supply chain to improve skills and set new standards for apprenticeships.

For example, Sheffield Hallam University, in partnership with the industry, is offering the country’s first food engineering degree, while Harper Adams University recently announced five new food degree courses.

In a bid to tempt more fresh blood into the industry, Farmers Weekly launched Farmers Apprentice in 2012 – a multi-task competition that showcases the skills required for success in today’s agricultural industry.

For the competition, 10 finalists aged between 18 and 25 battle it out in a week-long boot camp in a bid to win £10,000.