People issues to the fore at Pig & Poultry Live
Taking its lead from an industry survey conducted by the Royal Agricultural Society of England (RASE) and Pig & Poultry Live sponsor ABN, this year’s conference debates the issue of attracting quality people to the sector.
According to the research from delegates from previous events, 60% ranked recruiting the right calibre of people as a “very important” issue facing the industry. This was closely followed by encouraging the younger generation into the sector, which was deemed “very important” by 54%.
Angela Booth, technical development and assurance director at ABN, believes the feedback demonstrates the industry is very much aware of the need to focus on encouraging young, talented people.
This is why the topic of “people” is a key part of the event programme, she says.
“ABN has also invested in this area, with graduate schemes and initiatives designed to encourage enterprising young people from all backgrounds to join the pig and poultry industry.”
Lucy Gallant works in poultry technical support at ABN and entered the sector from outside the farming industry. “I was keen to work in a role within an industry where I could use my biology degree, and I saw an opportunity to do that in the poultry sector.”
Ms Gallant believes the industry needs to work hard to remove the stigma that you must be from “farming stock”. “There are a wealth of opportunities, particularly in applying science degrees and building a career in technical disciplines, as I have done,” she says.
The main challenge for entrants looking to join the industry is getting their foot in the door, explains Heidi Neal, ABN general nutritionist. “This is where the AB Agri graduate scheme is brilliant; it offers graduates a stepping stone into the industry, with fast-track career development.”
Pig & Poultry Live 2013 will see David Yiend, chief executive of AB Agri, presenting the Bright Crop initiative to the sector. Bright Crop is designed to inspire young talent to consider a career in farming and food supply by promoting positive perceptions of agriculture and the associated sectors, with a key emphasis on attracting school pupils.
“We need pig and poultry producers and supply chain companies to talk to pupils and careers advisers about how rewarding a career in the sector can be,” he says.
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Pig & Poultry Live 2013 takes place at Stoneleigh on 15 May. Visit the website for more details and tickets.