Mentor farmers needed for Ringlink’s interns

Ringlink has issued a plea for farmers to put themselves forward to become mentors for youngsters taking part in its pre-apprenticeship scheme.

For the first time the machinery ring is running a winter intake of the scheme starting at the end of January.

Ringlink’s group operations manager, Gail Robertson, said any farmer interested in becoming a mentor for this or future schemes should get in touch.

The scheme comprises three weeks of practical training at SRUC’s Craibstone Campus in Aberdeen followed by a six-month placement on a farm or rural business with a mentor. It gives participants an SRUC accredited vocational qualification at SCQF level 4, and is an extension of the previous Ringlink Internship, launched in 2013.

Ringlink managing director Graham Bruce said the ring had submitted proposals to government for the creation of a threeyear pilot programme to extend the scheme across Scotland, and while it had asked for 100% government funding, a funding shortfall was likely and this is something industry should be prepared to pay for.

He said: “Farmers are going to have to start supporting this.”

One farmer who supports the scheme is David Smith, of Cloffrickford Farm, near Auchnagatt. He became a mentor during the first year of the scheme and kept on his intern as an employee.

Anyone interested in becoming a mentor is asked to contact Mrs Robertson at Ringlink’s head office in Laurencekirk on 01561 377790.