Careers in the Agri-Food Industry

How likely are young people to consider a job in agriculture?

19% likely

34% maybe but need more information

31% unlikely

17% very unlikely

Comments given for the reasons above (categorised and in order of most common response):

Likely:

• Majority focus on the fact that their career can have a positive impact on the environment

• Passion for food, local produce, the outdoors

An interesting and varied role

• Good pay and benefits in terms of mental health and wellbeing

Unlikely:

• Not interested in the sector

• No knowledge of the sector has ever been shared with them

• Have already decided on their career (NB these comments are mainly from 18–19-year-olds)

• I don’t have the skill set / not smart enough / need a science background to enter

• Pay too low

• Too lazy to work in agriculture / prefer not to be physical

Maybe:

• Need more information to make an informed choice

• Would like to help the environment through their career choice

• Sounds an enjoyable and varied job

• I don’t own my own land and don’t have family members to pass on a farm so how can I enter?

When asked, 74% of students stated they receive careers advice in schools.

Have you ever had information on a career in agriculture?

64% No

18% Not sure

18% Yes

NB: Where yes, this information is predominantly from family, friends, and geography teachers. Careers guidance is barely mentioned as is wider information online / websites etc. Though a handful of young people mention they have seen ‘something’ on Instagram or TikTok platform.

How can we change this lack of awareness?

1. Experiential learning – on-farm / in classroom

2. Curriculum links

3. Work experience – short (week / month)

4. Talking to professionals from the agri-food industry

5. Work experience – long (year-long whilst studying / apprenticeships)

NB: 100% of respondents were positive to each of the suggestions, minimum ranking 4/5.

If you were given the job as an advisor, to encourage young people to enter the agri-food industry, what would you suggest?

Answers are themed and collated as below (note students made multiple recommendations)

• Fund schools to do farm visits and land-based colleges / universities (71%)

• Make it a compulsory subject at school (

• Agricultural residentials (42%)

• Teach people about food labelling – what to look out for (37%)

51% of respondents would like to know more about what farmers do with 62% of respondents also stating that farmers play an important role in their daily lives.

Young people seem to recognise the importance of the agri-food industry, but there is clearly more work that needs to be done and scaled up in educating them about the roles available in order to interest them.

Where would you look to find out more information on careers in Agriculture and Food Industries?

1. Visit a farm (43%)

2. Ask a teacher (39%)

3. Ask a careers advisor (29%)

NB: Interesting to note that visiting a farm is also the priority for young people finding out more information about British Agriculture when not looking at careers too. Also, social media was very low down on the list for young people to access information on careers.

We also asked the participants about the websites they use to find out information about careers (whilst less than a third highlighted a website as a useful resource for career information). Google was named by 90% of respondents and YouTube by 60%. No specific websites were mentioned by anyone of any age, including wider career websites showing perhaps a lack of knowledge on careers more widely.

What would be the most useful for you when considering a career in the land-based sector?

1. Talking to someone with an agri / land-based career (40%)

2. Work experience in the industry (30%)

3. Talking to a careers advisor (20%)

4. Talking to a teacher (10%)