Staff from Scotland’s Rural College were among those welcoming todays visit by Roseanna Cunningham, Cabinet Secretary for Fair Work, Skills and Training, to a Dumfries farm where she learned about the innovative Dairy Skills Initiative, a project placing young people onto dairy farms in Dumfries and Galloway.
The Dairy Skills Initiative is a unique partnership involving SRUC, NFU Scotland. LANTRA, Dumfries and Galloway Employment TAP and Skills Development Scotland. It offers school leavers and others with no previous farm experience 12 week placements on local dairy farms, at no cost to the host farmers. The young people learn more about opportunities in the sector and the work experience enhances their employment opportunities.
At Auchencrieff Farm, where she met trainees, farmers and others involved in the project the Cabinet Secretary said:
“Maintaining and enhancing skill levels in the sector is key and initiatives such as these offer young people hands on experience of an industry with economic value and real growth potential straight out of school and I fully expect some to go on and have a long and flourishing career in dairy.”
Brian Williams, SRUC Work-based Learning Manager, added:
“The uptake of the programme has been excellent so far and the outcome for the trainees very positive. It has opened new avenues for them, while helping meet industry need.”
Andrew Edgar (21) completed 10 weeks on-farm experience with another two weeks at college, although he prefers to get practical experience.
“Since I was 12 I wanted to be a farmer and this was the opportunity I was looking for. It gave me a step up into farming because I now have a certificate. But as well as the certificate I have gained in confidence. When the farmer trusts you, says you have done a good job, it’s the best feeling in the world.”
Farmer Stuart Gibb is equally enthusiastic.
“I would encourage others to take part in the initiative. I didn’t realise how valuable it would be until I actually did it. The extra pair of hands freed up time to focus on the business and helped with work-life balance.”
“It was rewarding to see Andrew come on. I have never seen a young person so keen to learn. Farmers across the country are experiencing a shortage of young people coming through, there seems to be a generation gap. The project is a way to address this.
Having completed this first round of the project the organisers are seeking to continue. Gary Mitchell is Chairman of the NFU Scotland Milk Committee.
“We are looking forward to the scheme opening to new trainees in March and will be working hard to ensure schools are involved. We need to ensure we get buy-in from both local schools and farmers.”
