Charles Abel • Workforce
Talent development British farming needs new blood and new skills, and nowhere is that more so than in the agronomy sector, where Agrovista operates a dedicated development programme
“The evolution British farm businesses are going through will bring risks and rewards, the impacts of which will inevitably be felt by advising agronomists.”
THE need for British farmers to serve new and evolving markets has never offered more opportunity, be it serving the food, energy, leisure or commodity markets. Agriculture has become a good career prospect, with many graduates looking to the industry for their future. In such an attractive and well-supplied market employers are increasingly needing to offer detailed programmes to entice the best recruits, and ensure they continue to be equipped with the skills to meet the industry’s fast-changing needs. “The evolution British farm businesses are going through will bring risks and rewards, the impacts of which will inevitably be felt by advising agronomists,” says Nick Rainsley, head of marketing at Agrovista, a company that employs 290 people in the UK, over 150 of which are agronomists. “Already cross-compliance and an increased focus on the industry from new end-markets are requiring additional skills and knowledge from farm advisers; and this comes at a time when the agronomist’s role is already a busy one.” While field-walking remains the heart of an agronomist’s job, it also has a bearing on the time that can be invested in acquiring new knowledge or skills, to keep up with the times. “We recognise this issue within our business and we allocate time for on-going training of staff in additional technical and business skills – be that in combinable crops, amenity, fruit, vegetables, energy crops, precision farming, crop telemetry, organic crops or farm business consultancy.” Each year Agrovista recruits a group of trainee agronomists to help grow the business, which already accounts for over 20% of UK crop protection product sales. “Seven new recruits began their training this autumn, and we’re already looking for our 2015 intake,” explains head of human resources Tracey Winson.
Academy programme Trainees benefit from Agrovista’s Academy programme, which commenced in 2011. It provides the necessary expertise to become fully-fledged agronomists, with their own customer base after a two-year programme.
10 • The Farmers Club Winter Journal 2014
“Our Academy provides comprehensive training, both on the job and in the field, supported by professional training and the development of commercial skills,” says Ms Winson. “But the Academy offers much more than initial training. It provides a framework of learning to help all Agrovista staff continue to develop their key skills and behaviours, at the pace they choose, throughout their career.” Agronomy teams from all sectors have access to ongoing professional, technical and commercial training, and support, distribution and admin teams have similar opportunities.
Ideas sharing “It’s a diverse offering, encouraging ideas sharing and to maximise career progression,” she continues. “As well as helping develop core skills it can offer specialist training, such as management development and accounting qualifications, and help people specialise in certain areas, for example seed, telemetry, precision farming or biodiversity. “Some people are more academically driven, others are more practical. The Academy’s flexible programme caters for all, allowing all staff to develop using off-site courses and work-based learning, including tailored external courses,” says Ms Winson. “This is good for them and good for our business, helping staff pursue their preferred career path and ensuring our teams have the most relevant and up-to-date skills that are the cornerstone of our business success.” Unlike competitors Agrovista is based on share capital, not venture capital, notes Mr Rainsley. “That gives us the flexibility to re-invest rather than take profit, and our parent company Marubeni has a commitment for the long-term. Our core areas of continued investment are our people, R&D, IT and logistics – all of which benefit every employee in our business and every customer.” The future for British farmers is rapidly changing, he continues, with potentially huge rewards. “But to succeed we all need to move with the times. If you are looking for opportunity in a business growing for the future; Agrovista may be worth a call.”