Smith takes up key Jobfarm role
A two year project building on last year’s Royal Highland Agricultural Society’s presidential initiative which set up the rural work experience initiative, Jobfarm, has seen the appointment of a co-ordinator.
Diane Smith, who originally hails from a farm in the Borders will take up the three-day-a-week role with the aim of furthering the aims of Jobfarm to make young people aware of the wide range of careers and jobs in agriculture, food industries, science and rural businesses.
Using an interactive website, built in collaboration with the Skills for Farming group, the Jobfarm platform has been designed for everyone aged 16 and over considering work experience, training or employment in the agricultural industry.
The website which encourages youngsters to consider a career in the sector also puts those seeking either a trial period of work experience or a longer posting with training in touch with farmers who are keen to help train the future workforce for the industry.
The website allows host farm mentors to promote opportunities and upload positions directly to the website.
Smith, who has worked extensively in the IT sector, will be responsible for facilitating the work experience opportunities between host farms and new student entrants within the agriculture industry.
While the opportunities are initially only available in the Lothians, the aim is to extend the chance of gaining work experience opportunities throughout Scotland in the longer term.