Co-operative Farms’ apprentice blossoms as a farmer of the future
A budding farmer from the Borders is blossoming as an agricultural trainee on The Co-operative Farms’ apprenticeship scheme.
The 21-year-old is ploughing ahead with his academic studies and hands-on training on the apprenticeship scheme, which is designed to help The Co-operative Farms find and train the farming talent of the future.
After almost a year on the scheme Liam, who has nine GCSEs and spent several summers working on farms during his school holidays, is displaying a natural aptitude for agriculture, both in the field and the classroom.
He said: “Since I started on The Co-operative Farms’ apprenticeship scheme I’ve not looked back. I love being outdoors in the fresh air and I’m doing something different and learning something new every day, from the basics in grain store management to arable farming to how to drive forklift trucks and tractors.
“When I started the scheme I had been unemployed for quite a while and before that I worked in shops and factories but that was a bit boring, so when I saw the opportunity for the apprenticeship and a career in farming I jumped at the chance.
“I knew The Co-operative was a good place to work but the apprenticeship has been much better than I expected and I’m enjoying every single minute of it. There is so much variety and you’re learning new skills all the time, as well as working in a team and also on your own, so it’s a great all-round preparation for a career in farming.
“It can be hard work though, especially during the harvest, but it’s also great fun too. I would definitely recommend apprenticeships, especially if it’s a career someone is interested in. And what’s better still is that as well as learning new skills and gaining qualifications and vital practical experience, you also get paid and there is a real chance of a job at the end.”
The Co-operative Farms currently has three other apprentices working on its farms at Down Ampney in Gloucestershire, and Tillington in Hereford, as well as Ashby St Ledger in Warwickshire, which is also managed by Co-operative Farms.
They are all studying for an agricultural NVQ at Reaseheath College in Cheshire, one of the leading land-based colleges in the country, where they will have two to three years to complete the course and achieve up to a level three.
Each apprentice also has a bespoke teaching package relevant to the farm they work on, as well as learning about key areas of the business cereal and root crops, vegetable and fruit growing.
David Watson, who oversees The Co-operative Farms’ apprenticeship scheme, added: “We have been impressed by all of the apprentices, many of whom had no previous farming experience, who have demonstrated fantastic enthusiasm, motivation and commitment.
“Farming today is much more than just growing food. It is about being a sustainable business that cares for the environment, protects local wildlife and raises awareness about food.
“The Co-operative is looking for the next generation of farmers who are as passionate about fresh food and the outdoors as we are. Our apprentices have surpassed our expectations and are making the scheme the success it is and they are shaping up to become farmers of the future.”
The Co-operative Group is the UK’s largest mutual business, owned not by private shareholders but by over six million consumers. It is the UK’s fifth biggest food retailer, the leading convenience store operator and a major financial services provider, operating The Co-operative Bank, Britannia and The Co-operative Insurance. Among its other businesses are the number one funeral services provider and Britain’s largest farming operation. As well as having clear financial and operational objectives, the Group has also set out its social and sustainability goals in its groundbreaking Ethical Plan, which specifies almost 50 commitments in these areas.
The Group operates 4,800 retail trading outlets, employs more than 106,000 people and has an annual turnover of more than 13bn. Further information is available at www.co-operative.coop