The Agriculture & Horticulture Development Board (AHDB) has taken on management of the Bright Crop careers initiative.
The move is part of the organisation’s wider drive to tackle the industry’s skill shortage, and complements its existing work on agricultural apprenticeships and school-level education.
Katie Garner – who has been responsible for running the Bright Crop scheme – has joined the AHDB team as part of the transfer.
Bright Crop was previously run by FACE (Farming and Countryside Education) and part-funded by AHDB, with additional sponsors from across the sector. It promotes careers in the food and farming industry through careers events, school visits, web and press activity, with the support of 380 ambassadors.
Chair of the Bright Crop steering group David Yiend said: “We are delighted with the progress that Bright Crop has made as a cross-industry initiative. We believe now, with the reorganisation of AHDB, this is the right place for Bright Crop to sit to ensure it remains firmly linked with the customer-base on behalf of which it is working.”
The news comes following a 2015 government report that said the agri-food industry has five times more skilled trade jobs than other UK industries, and these roles are generally three times more difficult to fill.
“We recognise the food and farming sectors can do more to improve their image with young people making decisions about their careers. Ensuring the industry attracts the brightest of the next generation is vital to its long-term viability,” said AHDB chief executive, Jane King.
“Over the coming months, we’ll be looking at where and how we can capitalise on opportunities to show young people our industry is exciting, progressive and sophisticated, offering a range of rewarding and fulfilling career options,” she added.
FACE chair Ian Pigott said: “I am delighted that AHDB will be carrying on the excellent work of FACE and driving Bright Crop forward for our future success.”
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