‘Industry needs new faces’ says BPC chairman
John Reed, chairman of the British Poultry Council (BPC) told guests at its annual awards in London that, with successful training and development programmes now in place, the industry needs to focus on attracting more young people.
Mr Reed announced a new programme of poultry producers visiting schools to interact with the next generation, with the aim of increasing awareness of the industry and the career opportunities available.
“There are still some misconceptions and a general lack of understanding of the poultry industry and it is up to us to educate students, counsellors, teachers and parents on what the industry is really about.”
There are still some misconceptions and a general lack of understanding of poultry and it is up to us to educate students, counsellors, teachers and parents on what the industry is really about.
Mr Reed said that recent successes in developing new talent and supporting entrants to the industry included the Poultry Passport Programme, the BPC’s graduate sponsorship with Harper Adams College, as well as the poultry apprenticeship and the NFU’s Poultry Industry Programme.
Farming minister David Heath MP agreed that it was essential to the entire agriculture and food industry to attract new talent. “You have to grow that talent, give them the development opportunities and skills in order to maximise the talent in the job.
“And what you’re successfully doing, it seems to me, is providing those opportunities.”
| Poultry programmes |
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POULTRY PASSPORT An official record of the training and skills to date of any individual on the British poultry training programme. Almost 5,000 people are now signed up. BPC GRADUATE SPONSORSHIP In cooperation with Harper Adams University College. This year 50 applicants fought for 10 positions. THE POULTRY APPRENTICESHIP Combining the existing National Apprenticeship with elements of the British Poultry Training Programme – a bespoke qualification that is relevant to the to the industry. NUFFIELD SCHOLARSHIP A programme designed to “develop the agricultural sector leaders and innovators of the future”. The scheme awards funding for overseas travel and to assist with study. POULTRY INDUSTRY PROGRAMME A seven-month training programme run by the NFU in which 19 delegates will have a wide range of training from industry leaders. The scheme covers subjects from finance to using social media marketing. |
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