Sector event promotes land-based careers

The Humber Education and Business Partnership (EBP), supported by the East Riding of Yorkshire Rural Partnership, have hosted an event to encourage careers advisors to promote education and employment opportunities in the land-based sector to young people.

The event, which took place on Thursday, 3 April at Bishop Burton College, included a number of presentations from high-profile speakers, including Richard Pearson, regional director of the National Farmers Union (NFU), Anthony Kitching, senior agriculture fieldsman at Birdseye, Graham Finn, associate director of agriculture, and Ian Pennock, field representative, from McCains and animal technician Liv Stockdale.

Attendees also received a tour of the campus and its grounds, led by college students, to see the various college enterprises, such as livestock production, including the busy lambing shed, equine, agriculture and horticulture.

Councillor Jane Evison, cabinet portfolio holder for economy, investment and inequalities at East Riding of Yorkshire Council, said: “The land-based sector is vitally important to the UK and plays a pivotal role in the local economy of the East Riding.

“We are fortunate to have a number of high-calibre colleges and training providers who deliver courses in areas such as agriculture, horticulture and working with animals, which are important growth industries, and we would encourage young people to consider these sectors as potential career paths.

“The event provided those attending with an overview of the land-based sector as well as a providing a local perspective from employees and employers.”

Jeanette Dawson OBE, principal and chief executive of Bishop Burton College, said: “We are pleased to be able to host the event and give those advising young people an insight into the wealth of opportunity available in the land based sector. Being on campus will also give them a flavour of the college’s real working environments, prepare students for the world of work, and contribute to their success.

“The land-based sector is growing and encompasses sustainability and environmental technologies. Attendees will be some of the first to see the new Technology and Skills Centre, built to bring together construction, engineering and precision technology – all skills that will be in demand in East Yorkshire and the Humber in the coming years.”