The future of the farming workforce was on the agenda yesterday (Tuesday) as rural affairs secretary Mairi Gougeon visited agricultural co-operative Ringlink in Laurencekirk.
Scotland’s cabinet secretary for rural affairs, land reform and islands was there for an update on the organisation’s Land-based Pre-apprenticeship programme which is in its twelfth year and is coming to the end of its funding period.
First-hand experience
Three people with first-hand experience were at the Laurencekirk headquarters of the UK’s largest business ring, as Ms Gougeon met current pre-apprentice Danielle Wrigley as well as graduates Logan Smith and Maddie Cairnie from the 2019 and 2020 programmes respectively.
Each shared their experience of coming from a non-agricultural background and how the pre-apprenticeship gave them that important first step into the industry.
“Supporting new entrants, particularly young people, into agriculture is absolutely vital to protect the future of the sector,” said Ms Gougeon.
“It was great to meet the pre-apprentices and hear how the programme has helped build their confidence and develop their skills.
“There are so many exciting opportunities available right across the agricultural sector and that was really emphasised by the young people I spoke to who had been through the scheme.”
- Logan Smith completed his pre-apprenticeship and Modern Apprenticeship in Perthshire but has since travelled to cover harvests in Australia and Tasmania and now works on a mixed farm in a career he said “seemed improbable as a school leaver”.
- Maddie Cairnie has just set up her own business with her flock of native Shetland sheep, having gained experience on a soft fruit farm before moving to a mixed farm where she completed a Modern Apprenticeship. After that, she moved to Lunan Bay Farm where she was looking after more than 300 goats as stocksperson.
- Danielle Wrigley – who as a 2024 pre-apprentice only started her farm placement a couple of weeks ago – told Ms Gougeon how she had left a job in social care after hearing about the pre-apprenticeship from school friends who’d already been through it and she was now thoroughly enjoying it.
Sufficient demand
Ringlink managing director Graham Bruce said: “We want to thank Mairi for her support in coming to see us to get an update on the programme. We felt it was really important she heard from the very people who are benefitting from the pre-apprenticeship.
“We’ve proved there is sufficient demand for this pathway into the rural sector and we’ve applied to the Scottish Government to continue the funding for this vital initiative that really does make a difference.
“Working together across Scotland, the machinery rings hope to have 85 young people complete the pre-apprenticeship this year, with 45 through Ringlink alone.
“Continued funding would let us prepare more young people for the world of work in the land-based sector, as well as go into schools and promote the industry and the amazing opportunities it offers.”
Ms Gougeon – SNP MSP for Angus North and Mearns – toured Ringlink’s new training facility with Mr Bruce and group operations manager Gail Robertson. As the visit coincided with Farm Safety Week, the tour highlighted the part training plays in making farms and outdoors workplaces a safer place to work.
- Pictured in the main image are, from left, Ringlink managing director Graham Bruce, Logan Smith, Mairi Gougeon, Danielle Wrigley, Maddie Cairnie and group operations manager Gail Robertson
