Kickstart your career in farming with great apprenticeship schemes from Morrisons & McDonald’s
IT offers countryside living AND no commute but farming nevertheless struggles to attract youngsters.
Despite being one of the economy’s most important industries, worth £24billion annually, the average age of UK farmers is 59. And just three per cent of those in the sector are under 35.
Worryingly, 16 per cent of under-25s have never even visited a farm. Now Morrisons and McDonald’s, which both rely heavily on UK food producers, have launched programmes to train the farmers of the future.
Morrisons has set up a £2million apprenticeship fund to equip young farmers with business knowledge. Young farmers can also apply for a place on the retailer’s own in-house apprenticeship scheme, where they will spend time in-store and receive expert mentoring.
At the end of the programme, apprentices gain a Level 2 or 3 Apprenticeship qualification. Apply for the scheme at morrisons-farming.com.
Meanwhile, McDonald’s Progressive Young Farmer Programme offers places for nine young farmers to spend a year working within the fast-food giant’s own supply chain.
Trainees also receive mentoring by a farmer who supplies McDonald’s with beef, eggs and dairy. Applications are open until December 1. See
An expert in his Field
JACOB FIELD is a farm hand on an Arla co-operative farm in the Yorkshire Dales.
Morrisons pays extra for its milk so the farm can invest in new technology, such as schemes to increase bee numbers for biodiversity.
Jacob, 19, from Leeds, said: “I grew up in Leeds city centre, and I always knew I wanted to work in the countryside with animals and big machines.
“My uncle and aunt found contact numbers for some farmers near them and helped me arrange a weekend of work experience on a farm.
“From that, I was offered a job and now I’m doing a job I believe I was born to do. I have a full sleeve of tattoos, so I’m not what you’d expect of a farmer.
“But the farming lifestyle is different. If you are honest and hardworking, you’ll get on. There is so much to learn in farming. I’ve already done a number of college courses such as first aid and tractor control but there are so many areas of farming to consider.
“You will learn so much about everything from business to science, to food nutrition, to nature, to technology, to psychology. Remember, farmers look for honest, hard-working people so don’t worry if you don’t have the experience or the grades.”
A bit on the side
OVER-50s are leading a surge in “side-hustle” work, accounting for one in five of these auxiliary businesses, according to new research.
E-commerce leads the way as a second job in today’s gig economy for the over-50s, with 27 per cent selling items via Etsy and eBay.
Almost a quarter work in domestic jobs such as cleaner or handyman, while 21 per cent have turned a hobby, such as baking or photography, into a profession.
One in nine of those taking on extra work is an Uber driver or Airbnb host.
Three per cent even list their side hustle as “blogging or YouTubing”, according to the report from mobile business account provider Anna Money.
Jobspot
THE Royal Mint is searching for IT talent and a studio manager to work at the world’s leading minting facility, in South Wales. Apply today at
Deliver new job
DOMINO’S Pizza is recruiting over 5,000 delivery staff nationwide for Christmas and beyond.
Four in five of the firm’s store managers started as drivers so there is a chance of promotion.
Scott Bush, the company’s operations director, said: “We are on the lookout for positive individuals to join our fun, friendly and hard-working teams across the UK, and particularly so in the festive season. For those keen to progress into managerial roles, driving positions are a great way to start.”
E-bike cyclists must be at least 17. Car drivers at least 18 with a full UK licence, less than six points and no bans in the last five years. Moped riders must be at least 18, and have a CBT licence.
To apply, visit your local Domino’s store.
Jobspot
POSH store Harrods has more than 170 retail roles available, including Christmas temps. For details, head over to
Keep an eye on bullying
BULLYING does not just happen with kids at school. Research has found four in five people have experienced cyberbullying in the workplace. For Anti-Bullying Week, which ends today, we’ve teamed up with HR law specialist Deb Tweedy, from Gordon Brown Law Firm, to explain what cyberbullying is and what firms should be doing to protect their staff . . .
- Cyberbullying can take different forms, including offensive emails, email threats, posts and comments on social networking sites and spreading lies and malicious gossip via messaging/chat.
- Businesses need to be aware that a failure to protect people from cyberbullying can leave employers liable for their workers’ actions.
- If your firm does not have a robust social media policy, one needs to be put in place urgently with a zero- tolerance approach to bullying.
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- Policies including email, internet and mobile phone usage; bullying and harassment; data protection; discipline and grievance; dignity and respect; and the company’s code of conduct should all be clearly updated to state what is and is not permissible.
- Training should be provided to staff about what is and is not permitted on social media.
- Staff are best advised to avoid expressing personal views about either the business or its colleagues.
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