Mentors needed for agriculture’ s next generation

Training: Ringlink in appeal to rural businesses

Aberdeenshire farmers are being sought to help train the next generation of farm workers by agreeing to become mentors for an industry-led training programme.

Ringlink is on the hunt for farmers in the Alford, Banff, Ellon, Inverurie and Newmachar areas for its land-based pre-apprenticeship programme.

The machinery ring’s programme first launched as an internship in 2013.

It has evolved into a nationally recognised scheme and in a typical year it would offers youngsters a three-week training course at Scotland’s Rural College (SRUC) followed by a sixmonth placement on a farm or rural business.

Ringlink’s group operations manager, Gail Robertson, said 28 youngsters had been selected to do the scheme this year, but some mentors were still sought in Aberdeenshire.

“In today’s climate, skills development has never been more crucial for the agricultural sector and from the outset of lockdown we were committed to ensuring our trainees could undertake the programme this year,” said Ms Robertson.

She said the scheme would be delivered differently this year due to Covid-19 restrictions, including the current closure of SRUC campuses.

The trainees will be given a mix of practical and online training, with the support of SRUC, followed by work placements starting in July or August for a period of 26 weeks.

“Working with various stakeholders and the Scottish Government, we have developed a training format that satisfies Covid-19 guidance and the remaining hurdle is finding the last few mentor businesses,” said Ms Robertson.

“I encourage any rural business who can offer either a six-month full-time or part-time placement to please come forward.”

Anyone interested in becoming a mentor is asked to contact Ms Robertson on gail@ringlinkscotland. co.uk or 01561 376022.

HOW IT’S DONE: Farmers in the north-east are being urged to help train the agricultural workers of tomorrow