MORRISONS TO LAUNCH £2 MILLION APPRENTICESHIP FUND TO TRAIN THE FARMERS OF THE FUTURE

by London-TV in Business
– Programme aims to encourage fresh talent and address skills challenge –
– Average age of UK farmers is 59, only 3% are under the age of 35 –
– Would-be farmers will learn the skills to produce food for the nation -Morrisons is to launch a £2 million apprenticeship fund which will be used to train the farmers of the
future.

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Morrisons is to launch a £2 million apprenticeship fund which will be used to train the farmers of the future.
The funding will be used to ensure that British farming has enough people being trained to meet the UK’s food needs. The average age of UK farmers is 59 and only 3% of UK farmers are under the age of 35. Some 70% of farmers believe not enough young people are coming into farming.
For more information, please contact the Morrisons press office at The Academy on 020 7100 7100 or morrisons@theacademypr.com

The funding will be used to ensure that British farming has enough people being trained to meet the UK’s food needs.
The average age of UK farmers is 59 and only 3% of UK farmers are under the age of 35. Some 70% of farmers believe not enough young people are coming into farming.
Farming is facing a recruitment challenge with fewer farmers’ children wanting to run the family business. Some 15% of farmers named succession and inheritance as the largest issues threatening
family-run farms today.
Additionally in towns and cities there may not be enough knowledge of the countryside to generate an interest in farming. Amongst 18- to 24-year olds, 16% say they have never visited a farm and the
aim is to attract more people from urban areas into farming.
Morrisons’ programme and apprenticeship funding will equip would-be farmers with the broad skills needed, including where to purchase the equipment needed from, and the difference between brand new machinery and the ones found amidst Auction details online. It will also upskill apprentices with the business knowledge of how to provide for food
manufacturers and retailers like Morrisons.
David Potts, Morrisons Chief Executive, said:
“We are British farming’s single largest customer and so it makes sense to invest our apprenticeship fund so that more new farmers can be trained to provide food for the nation.
“We hope that people from all backgrounds will be attracted to these important jobs.”

The Morrisons programme will include:

? Broad based agricultural skills training from a recognised training provider
? mentoring and support from fellow apprentices and key members of the Morrisons’ team to
understand the retail sector;
? matching apprentices with local stores so budding farmers can spend days in store learning
what customers want and how stores work;
? studying to develop their understanding of customer attitudes to British sourcing, farming
and animal welfare

People interested in taking up the Morrisons Farming Apprenticeship Scheme can apply by visiting the Morrisons farming website at https://www.morrisons-farming.com/.