NFU urges government to invest in on-farm food job training
The National Farmers' Union (NFU) is urging the next government to increase investment and support for farmers, growers and other food producers, as they believe on-farm training is vital for food jobs in the future.
The NFU was prompted to publicly comment after the National Strategic Skills Audit for England - commissioned by the UK Commission for Employment and Skills (UKCES) - showed that agriculture was 25th out of 27 in terms of economic importance in the future, yet the sector ranked third for its skills shortage.
The Union believe that although the Government - notably, in their Food 2030 report - claims that farming and food manufacture are a top investment priority for the future, the UKCES report is off-putting to those wanting to start out in agriculture food jobs.
Speaking of the low priority of agriculture and horticulture in the report, the deputy president of the NFU, Meurig Raymond, has said:
Mr Raymond also made a point of saying that the food supply sector keeps more than 3 million people in food jobs, as well as contributing £155 billion to the economy.
The NFU was prompted to publicly comment after the National Strategic Skills Audit for England - commissioned by the UK Commission for Employment and Skills (UKCES) - showed that agriculture was 25th out of 27 in terms of economic importance in the future, yet the sector ranked third for its skills shortage.
The Union believe that although the Government - notably, in their Food 2030 report - claims that farming and food manufacture are a top investment priority for the future, the UKCES report is off-putting to those wanting to start out in agriculture food jobs.
Speaking of the low priority of agriculture and horticulture in the report, the deputy president of the NFU, Meurig Raymond, has said:
"This is particularly strange given the major strategic role that farmers and growers have and will play in securing the nation's food security, and in feeding a growing global population, while at the same time using less natural resources, and reducing agriculture's impact on the environment."
Mr Raymond also made a point of saying that the food supply sector keeps more than 3 million people in food jobs, as well as contributing £155 billion to the economy.
Leave a comment