Training&Apprenticeships
Norfolk Agricultural Apprentice of the Year 2018. 2018 has produced another crop of farming apprentices keen to be put to the test to find the Norfolk Agricultural Apprentice 2018. All competent technicians in their specialist fields, the judges selected a clear winner in George Lenihan who is studying for a Level 3 Mixed Apprenticeship at Easton and Otley College. George’s employer, Robert Alston of Silfield Farms Ltd was keen that George entered the competition run by the Royal Norfolk Agricultural Association (RNAA) which aims to showcase the excellent range of career opportunities in modern farming. Robert Copeland, Silfield’s Farm manager explained: ‘Our industry has so many good career paths for technically minded, practical, bright young people these days but sadly the schools are still not promoting agriculture properly to their pupils, despite the good salaries on offer. George’s standard of work is brilliant, he follows instruction well and being mechanically minded, is good at looking after the machinery and equipment he is using. Training up staff through an apprenticeship is working really well, we have been able to tutor George into our way of working from the beginning and in turn he brings back fresh ideas from his college work.’ George drives a CAT Challenger on the 1700 ac arable farm and takes his turn on the combine at harvest. The business has a number of different enterprises including property, share farming with a neighbour and a gluten free flour production giving George a wide variety of work.
‘I chose to study through an apprenticeship as I wanted to get the best training whilst avoiding getting into debt with a student loan. I go into college for one week every six weeks and in between get on with my on-line portfolio. I’ve also had the opportunity to travel in Europe on educational visits which are a great opportunity to learn different aspects of the industry’ Ben Turner, Ben Burgess & Co’s - Sales and Marketing Manager who judged the students on behalf of the RNAA said, ‘Each entrant submits a short video of themselves made on their mobile phones to illustrate what they do at work and all that they are learning. It was encouraging to interview such enthusiastic young people. They demonstrated just why an apprenticeship is an excellent way to attract just the right sort of staff into our industry.’ Tim Styles, from Fram Farmers Ltd who sponsor the competition and joined Ben in the judging said, ‘Fram Farmers are delighted to be sponsors again, our members tell us that they want to raise awareness of the excellent career opportunities that there are in today’s modern agriculture businesses. This award is designed to be an accolade to champion our industry, raising
its profile in the county’s schools and colleges and fueling ambition and aspiration in our young people to encourage them into our industry’ The runner up was Luke Dewing apprentice at the John Innes Centre. Luke started his studies by completing an extended Diploma in Horticulture and is now expanding his arable knowledge through an apprenticeship working in field trials and the glass houses. Cathy Mumford from the John Innes Centre said: ‘Luke quickly grasped the technology behind the specialist machinery we use such as plot drills and plot combines. He works carefully and independently and is very interested in the research we facilitate’. The competition which is now in its second year explained is facilitated by Easton & Otley College, the winner receives a cheque for £100 along with the RNAA’s trophy and a free short training course such as chain saw operator. The runner up receives a cheque for £50 along with a trophy. The prizes were presented at the Norfolk Show by Ben turner MD Ben Burgess & Co, this year’s show president.
Training up staff through an apprenticeship is working really well, we have been able to tutor George into our way of working from the beginning and in turn he brings back fresh ideas from his college work. JULY/AUGUST 2018
NORFOLK VOICE • THE MAGAZINE OF NORFOLK CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY
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