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The ’s Future Farmer Programme, delivered with Tesco, launched again this week.

In this piece – originally published as a slightly shorter version in Farmers Weekly – Strategic Director of SSFF Simon Thelwell explains more about the what the programme entails and what candidates can expect.

A skilled and engaged workforce is essential for supporting farming’s transition to a more sustainable future, as the industry adopts new practices and implements change. 

With technology advancing and environmental challenges mounting, there’s a need to develop skills, address any outdated perceptions of the industry and create attractive career paths for the next generation. Additionally, as the industry continuing to innovate, there’s also work to be done to better showcase the exciting opportunities in cutting-edge technology, data analytics and robotics in farming, as well as a growing need to advance practical skills and business acumen. 

While such a diversity of roles puts training and education in the spotlight, it also emphasises the supply chain’s role in showcasing career opportunities, offering hands-on experience and developing a better and broader understanding of this dynamic sector.   

88% per cent of the farmers surveyed for Tesco’s ‘Greenprint for UK Farming’ report cited that they were worried about a negative public perception of farming and its environmental impact, which in turn could be deterring potential recruits.

Farmers were also concerned that the wider public needed a deeper understanding about the realities of running a farm and that fresh talent joined the sector with an understanding of the complexities of working with the land and livestock. 

These issues are being addressed by educational establishments such as ÁÕÀÅÊÓƵ in Shropshire, as well as through initiatives being undertaken by Tesco and the wider industry.

 To this end, the takes up to 70 young farmers each year and provides a comprehensive nine-month training schedule that covers three main areas – sustainability, leadership and profitability. 

“The programme helps candidates with their personal development as well as their business plans, challenging them to thrive,” explains Simon Thelwell of ÁÕÀÅÊÓƵ’s School of Sustainable Food and Farming. 

“Delegates join the programme because they are concerned about the agricultural transition and recognise that the future of farming looks quite different. Being part of the Tesco programme helps them to visualise that, create supportive networks and move forward.” 

At the university, the ÁÕÀÅÊÓƵ Forward curriculum is being designed across a wide range of courses to reflect a changing industry and to meet the future needs of employers, he reveals.   

“It will influence the type of courses we will be offering and how we will be teaching them. We need to think very differently about how careers in the sector will evolve, so that the workforce is prepared and the companies that employ them remain competitive.” 

Appealing to candidates with little prior experience of farming is key, with school liaison, apprenticeships, mentoring and hands-on experience all helping to bridge any gaps. 

Getting young people to see and experience the sector for themselves has also been instrumental in achieving results.  

Jemma Flitton, a Sustainable Agriculture Specialist with Tesco, admits that the careers advice she received at school didn’t include the food and farming sector, which is often portrayed as just needing practical farm workers. 

Her advice to young people with an interest in agriculture or a curiosity about its potential is to be prepared to try something new and consider the various entry routes on offer. 

“You don’t have to be a university graduate or have a farming background. There are other ways of starting a fulfilling career in agriculture and the variety of roles is endless.”   

Jemma believes there is a disconnect between farming and the wider public but adds that the current focus on the environment and nature is helping to narrow that, as is a better understanding of the place for healthy food in society.  

“Retailers have a platform to push a positive message about the industry, educate consumers and show how farming can have a meaningful impact,” she says. “Working in the supply chain has opened my eyes to how much can be achieved.” 

New talent, better skills and changed perceptions are all components that will allow the agri-food sector to develop a sustainable system that protects the planet.