Ringlink seeking mentors for the farmers of tomorrow

INTERNSHIP: Record number of applicants for scheme this year

Ringlink is in the process of selecting 15 youngsters to take part in its land-based internship programme.

The organisation, which is Scotland’s largest machinery ring, received a record number of 54 applications for the scheme this year – up 46% on last year.

It is now on the hunt for farmers in a number of regions across Scotland to open up their businesses and share their knowledge with these youngsters.

Now in its fifth year, the programme sets out to provide young people with a broad overview of work in the rural sector through a programme of training and mentoring.

Ringlink managing director Graham Bruce said the scheme was launched to provide a starting point for youngsters wishing to pursue a career in the rural sector.

The scheme is not eligible for educational funding as it is not an accredited course and wage rules, set by the Scottish Agricultural Wages Board (Sawb), mean farmers are required to pay the youngsters the same rate as older, more experienced workers.

Mr Bruce said the Ringlink board had agreed to increase the number of places available from 12 to 15 this year.

Ringlink’s marketing and development manager Gail Robertson, who runs the scheme, said: “The success of the programme has been based around locating business placements close to home because the majority of our applicants are 16 and 17-year-olds.

“We try and get a placement within a 10-mile radius of where they (intern) live, and we now want mentors to come forward in certain areas.”

The areas where mentors are sought include Blairgowrie, Glamis and Crieff.

Mrs Robertson said mixed arable and livestock farms were preferable and interns were happy to get stuck in with anything.

Mentors must have a mixture of full-time work available for a six-month period, and have a suitable supervisor or mentor to coach the intern on the farm.

Ringlink’s training manager, Peter Wood, said mentors would be given a full day of training before taking an intern on to their farm.

Any farmers wishing to volunteer as mentors are asked to contact Mrs Robertson at Ringlink’s head office in Laurencekirk on 01561 377790.

We try and get a placement within a 10-mile radius of where they (intern) live. GAIL ROBERTSON

Some of last year’s Ringlink interns.