Dairy Event 2009: How to carve out a career in dairy

THAT was the resounding message delivered to delegates attending a workshop dedicated to tackling the skills shortage in the dairy sector, at the Dairy Event and Livestock show.

Teachers and career advisors from across the West Midlands region were joined by 20 students from Queen Elizabeth Grammar School in Ashbourne, Derbyshire, as they listened to seven presentations based on a variety of job roles available within dairy farming.

Each presentation was based on ‘A day in the life of’ and speakers included an agricultural consultant, a large animal vet, an environmental advisor and a lab technician.

Beef and arable farmer Colin Tucker from Devon, offered an honest and humorous account of his working day, and reinforced the importance of farming in the UK.

“There is no monotony in farming. If you are prepared to get stuck in and work hard, there is no other job like it,” he said.

“We have a rising population, the threat of food shortages and plenty of land to farm and I believe there are great opportunities in agriculture that are there for the taking.”

Karen Greening, a Connexions advisor from Leamington Spa, welcomed the initiative. She said: “I work with Year 9-13 and Sixth Form students on a daily basis and found the session useful and will return to school with a better understanding.”

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