Joint plan to better source farm workers
THE NFU and Association for Labour Providers (ALP) have launched a 10-point plan to help farmers and growers better recruit and retain workers for the coming season.
The plan aims to support employers and agencies in sourcing labour, and offers tips and guidance to improve the chances of employment success.
The NFU has maintained that a competent and reliable workforce is vital for British farms to continue producing the food to feed the public, and has continued to press government for an urgent solution to avoid any worker shortages.
Statistics from the NFU’s labour providers survey showed that there was a 12.5% shortfall of workers in 2017.
NFU horticulture and potatoes board vice-chairman Derek Wilkinson said: “Without a reliable workforce we don’t have a business, so we should do everything we can do to attract people to work in farming, whether that’s for a few months of the year, or on a permanent basis.
“This plan acts as a good checklist for employers looking to improve their chances of recruitment success.
“It goes hand-in-hand with the call to government to provide clarity and assurance that we will have access to the workforce we need, up to and after we leave the EU.
“Farming is a long-term business – on my farm we will be making planting decisions this summer in preparation for next season. I will do everything in my power to attract the workers I need, but government has a pivotal role to play here too.
Stephanie Maurel, CEO of labour provider Concordia, said: “Last year we experienced fewer candidates turning up to recruitment events in Europe, a higher number of people not arriving in the UK to take up their job offer and more workers returning home earlier in the season.
“The feedback we had from the workforce was that they are confused over what Brexit means for them, the exchange rate isn’t as attractive and they are looking for jobs outside farming – this is especially true of those with good levels of English.
“We’re confident that we’ll be able to meet our clients’ labour requirements in 2018 but both we, and the businesses we supply workers to, will need to continue to work hard to attract the right number and calibre of workers.” The 10 point plan covers: Sourcing and recruiting. Advertising and promotion. Consider all available visa programmes. Getting the best from the team. Collaboration between farms and providers. Incentives to retain workers. Flexible working patterns. Labour planning. Giving workers a strong voice. Working and living environment.