A career in agriculture by lantra.scotland

Agriculture

GREEN CAREERS

No Two Days the Same scotland.lantra.co.uk

Why work in Agriculture? By 2050, there will be 9 billion people in the world, and we will be relying even more on agriculture to produce enough food for everyone whilst also protecting the natural environment.

Both climate change and agriculture take place on a global scale. Global warming can affect average temperatures, levels of rainfall, amounts of pests and diseases and how often we see climate extremes like heat waves. Climate change is already affecting agriculture in different ways across the world. What we grow, buy and eat, has an impact beyond Scotland too, for example, when forests in tropical countries are cut down to make way for farmland. The challenge is to increase benefits locally, whilst reducing our global environmental impact. Scottish farmers and crofters have an important role to play in preserving the landscape, improving biodiversity, planting trees, restoring peat, improving water and soil quality and generating renewable energy. So far, they have reduced their greenhouse gas emissions by almost 30%.

Circular agriculture and technology such as blockchain, vertical farming and remote sensing, all present us with opportunities to radically change the face of food production and how we use our land. From data science to animal husbandry, land conflict management to soil biota, all are vital in addressing the climate emergency and helping our rural economy. However, such a wide range of technologies and approaches means we need people who have a wide range of skills. More than ever, agriculture is looking for innovative, enthusiastic young workers to make sure that the food we produce makes good climate sense, and tastes great too!

Lots of farmers nowadays use software and apps to boost productivity, manage diversity, market their produce more effectively, solve communication problems and generally just to run their business. Drones and robotics are starting to be used in agriculture, but once this becomes standard across the industry, many more people will be needed to develop, operate and maintain them.

Be part of the solution! The agricultural industry is diverse, dynamic and rewarding and offers a wide variety of career opportunities. Whether you are practical, hardworking and like the outdoors or have an interest in leading the way in science and technology, a career in agriculture could be for you. As well as driving tractors or milking cows, there are lots of other exciting and interesting jobs on offer within the industry. Agriculture relies on people at different stage of the supply chain, with jobs available including agronomists, nutritionists and agricultural engineers. Scottish agriculture is a high-tech business which makes use of the latest developments in science and technology to produce food more sustainably, more safely and more efficiently. “Our twenty-first century economy may focus on agriculture, not information.” James Howard Kunstler

80% of Scotland’s landmass is used for agriculture

How do I get started? There are lots of ways to join the agricultural industry, whether you’re leaving school, studying at college or university, or changing career. You could do a degree, get work experience, or do a pre-apprenticeship or a Modern Apprenticeship Even if you’ve been trained already in a completely different subject, the chances are that some of your skills could easily be transferred into a career in agriculture. You don’t need to be from a farming background, and it will help a lot if you are determined and have a passion about your new career in agriculture. Have a look at some examples of jobs on the next page for inspiration.

You can specialise in areas such as crop and soil science

Food and drink is one of the most important and fastest growing sectors in Scotland

Agriculture Career Options

Here are some of the jobs you could be doing in our industry.

LIVESTOCK

ARABLE

// DAIRY Dairy Nutritionist Dairy Technician

// SHEEP Research Technician Shepherd

// GRAIN Grain Buyer Farm Business Consultant

// BEEF Calf Procurement Stock Person

// POULTRY Production Assistant Farm Supervisor

// VEGETABLES Soil Scientist Tractor Driver

// PIGS Dairy Nutritionist Dairy Technician

// SOFT FRUITS Technical Grower Fruit Argonomist

Routes into a Career in Agriculture Depending on your current skills and experience, you could enter at different levels.

JOB LEVEL

SENIOR ROLES

SUPERVISORY ROLES

SUPERVISED ROLES

SCQF LEVEL

TRAINING AND COURSES

Doctorate

Masters | Graduate Apprenticeship

Honours Degree | Graduate Apprenticeship

Degree | Graduate Apprenticeship

HND Agriculture | Technical Apprenticeship Graduate Apprenticeship | Scottish Vocational Qualification

HNC Agriculture | HNC Poultry Production Advanced Certificate: Poultry Production

NC Agriculture | Higher | NPA Local Food Production Foundation Apprenticeship | Modern Apprenticeship Land-based Workplace Skills Award | Scottish Vocational Qualification

Skills for Work: Rural Skills | National 4 | NC Rural Skills Land-based Pre-apprenticeship | C&G Level 1 Work-based Agriculture Land-based Workplace Skills Award | Land-based Studies Certificate

Access to Land-based Industries

Making a difference

Amy Lochhead:

Robert Pickford:

Trainee Shepherd

Implementation Manager at ThermaFY Group

I didn’t know anything about sheep or even farming before at first, but the things I’ve learned at Borders College, and from other farmers, have meant my knowledge and confidence about working in sheep farming have really improved.

I come from a farming background but now work for a company in the Borders that specialises in thermal imaging and analysis.

I have been really lucky to work with Julie Hill of Neth Border Collies, one of the top sheepdog trainers and competitors in the world, learning her dog training technique called ‘The Natural Way’. “It really is the most rewarding of jobs” Knowing that my work has value and that I’m making a difference has been a huge boost. My dogs are brilliant therapy, and I’ve never been happier. My confidence in everyday life has really grown, and if I have any queries, other farmers are always helpful. My top careers tip would be that you should say yes to any job or volunteering that you’re offered. Don’t be afraid to put your name out there as there will always be someone willing to help you. Any experience you get, whether good or bad, will help you make up your own mind about your future.

We’ve some really innovative projects on the go for agriculture, including things like developing software that can check images for disease in livestock. “We’ve some really innovative projects on the go for agriculture” In partnership with Microsoft, we’re working on identifying foot and mouth disease in South America, and with the Royal School of Veterinary Studies in Edinburgh, we’re using technology to identify mastitis and lameness in dairy cows, which will reduce the use of antibiotics. I love the variety of my job, as I could be installing a scanning station in England one day and taking pictures of cows in Scotland the next. It’s an exciting time for the agriculture industry, as we have a great opportunity to become more effective and efficient by using the latest technology.

Find out more For information on training and qualifications available, email scotland@lantra.co.uk or call 01738 310 164. www.scotland.lantra.co.uk www.myworldofwork.co.uk @lantrascotland @lantrascotland @lantra.scotland

GREEN CAREERS

Lantra in Scotland is supported by the Scottish Government Updated October 2022