Farm businesses struggling with labour and skill shortages are being encouraged to look at the new group membership offered by the Institute for Agriculture and Horticulture (TIAH).
TIAH says it is designed to help businesses recruit, retain, and develop staff while lowering the administrative burden. TIAH chief executive, Stephen Jacob, says skills and labour shortages are placing significant pressure on farm businesses.
“TIAH’s 2022 report found 63% of UK farm businesses reported difficulties in filling certain roles, with 39% of these roles sitting empty for over a month.
“To support long-term resilience and sustainability in agriculture and horticulture, we have to address these labour and skills gaps.”
He adds that replacing a member of staff can cost the equivalent of more than a year’s salary. This is based on various factors, including the loss of productivity and skills, and the time spent recruiting and training.
“By making use of the online service to actively support and recognise lifelong learning, farm businesses will build a reputation for professionalism and innovation, making them more attractive as employers.”
Linda Christoffersson, TIAH’s head of membership, says group membership will help farm businesses stand out as employers of choice while saving time and money. “Our new offering helps farm businesses streamline team training with a manager’s view of online learning activity, allowing instant oversight of course completions and training needs.”
The online service includes a document management feature, allowing businesses to upload and store critical documents, as well as reminders to alert managers when renewals are due.
“This feature streamlines administrative tasks and supports compliance, saving farmers and growers valuable time and money which allows them to focus on the business,” Linda adds.
There are also digital tools tailored to farm businesses. Each staff member is given a learning journey that aligns with their role and goals.
“Strong uptake of our student membership has shown that the next generation put a strong emphasis on structured learning and expect learning opportunities from their employers,” explains Linda.
“Group membership enables farm businesses to meet these expectations, positioning them as preferred employers in a competitive market, helping them to retain staff and contributing to better overall farm performance in the long-term.”
For more information go to www.tiah.org
