Morrisons to offer a £2 million apprenticeship fund for budding UK farmers
The programme and apprenticeship funding will equip would-be farmers with broad-based agricultural skills training, as well as upskilling apprentices with the business knowledge of how to provide for food manufacturers.
Lauren Dean
Supermarket giant Morrisons is to launch a £2 million apprenticeship fund to train the British farmers of the future.
Only three per cent of UK farmers are under the age of 35 and about 70 per cent of older farmers think not enough young people are coming into the industry.
Another 15 per cent said succession and inheritance were the largest issues threatening family-run farms today.
The programme and apprenticeship funding will equip would-be farmers with broad-based agricultural skills training, as well as upskilling apprentices with the business knowledge of how to provide for food manufacturers and retailers like Morrisons.
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Individuals on the scheme will also study to develop an understanding of customer attitudes to British sourcing, farming and animal welfare.
Morrisons chief executive David Potts said the retailer was British farming’s single largest customer and it made sense to invest in an apprenticeship fund ‘so that more new farmers can be trained to provide food for the nation’.
The programme will be split into three options: funding to cover the cost of apprenticeship training for staff aged 19 or older in the Morrisons supply chain and mentoring, support and supply chain projects for farmers in the Morrisons Apprenticeship Scheme.
Improving skills
It will also include a UK first with Bishop Burton College to offer a bespoke egg training scheme for young people working on farms producing eggs from laying hens.
NFU president Minette Batters said: “Improving skills is a key part to unlocking productivity gains on farm and vital in addressing the future challenges and pressures that farming faces.
“Training and skills development also ensures there is a professional, flexible and reliable workforce as well as helping to attract new entrants to the industry.”
For more on the Morrisons Farming Apprenticeship Scheme, click here.
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