Ringlink, which offers a vocational pathway for school leavers and new entrants across Scotland, is reporting remarkable success with attracting new recruits, with almost half having no agricultural experience.
The Land-based Pre-apprenticeship for 16-21-year-olds provides a qualification at SCQF level 4, certificated training tickets and six months of full-time employment. It states that this suits the industry well, as it includes upfront health and safety awareness and provides fundamental skills and competency.
Gail Robertson, group operations manager says: “This year, a record 29 new trainees have joined the pre-apprenticeship. It is a remarkable success story for our industry, particularly given the increasing difficulties with recruiting staff for farms and rural businesses”
“In the past 10 years, 189 pre-apprentices have passed through the programme, and 80% are still either working on the farm they trained on or working elsewhere within the industry. The pre-apprenticeship is undoubtedly providing a valuable source of new talent for the land-based sector.”
However, of the 29 new recruits, four are still waiting for a mentor while is willing to develop their skills. Ringlink is now appealing for businesses in Arbroath, Forfar, Brechin and Ellon to offer six-month employment to get in contact.
James Porter, Chairman of Ringlink says: “I know from personal experience how rewarding it is, but I am also aware that not every business can either afford the time or the money to take on an extra employee If you are looking to hire staff however, given the shortage of trained farm workers, it makes a lot of sense to take on a pre-apprentice who is enthusiastic, and hasn’t picked up any bad habits.”
“Ringlink continues to explore potential routes to financially support mentors with Scottish Government. I am very hopeful that a solution will be found which could lead to a massive expansion in the scheme. In the meantime, if you have a business in the areas previously mentioned, there are some very keen individuals on your doorstep who could bring a fresh and revitalising injection of youthful energy into your business. It is vitally important that we keep bringing young people into the industry and we need more mentor businesses to engage and offer these opportunities.”
Ringlink has sourced funding for the programme from the Scottish Government, administered through Skills Development Scotland over the last five years, with just one year of assured support remaining. However, given the success of the programme, Ringlink is optimistic that funding will continue.
To expand its remit, the scheme recently had a grant-funded simulator installed at its training centre in Laurencekirk, which will allow users to get introductory training on specific machinery including tractors, forklifts, diggers and HGVs.
For more information go to www.ringlinkscotland.co.uk. To offer employment opportunities, contact Gail Robertson on 01561 377790.