3 minute read
Are you a future leader in poultry?
Hip PIP hooray
Are you passionate about poultry? Want to develop your skills, knowledge and network? The NFU Poultry Industry Programme returns for 2022 and applications are now open
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The NFU Poultry Industry Programme (PIP) was initially started by the NFU in recognition of a need to develop young people already working within the poultry industry and broaden their knowledge.
Run in partnership with feed company ABN, the programme builds on the existing skills and knowledge of the young people that take part to help develop their careers and businesses as future industry leaders. It is made up of a series of one or two-day events over 12 months, which give participants a unique insight into the industry as well as creating contacts with other poultry farmers and industry specialists. me out of my comfort zone at times but it’s defi nitely helped me to develop both personally and professionally.
“I think when I started I had more of stockperson’s mindset and it’s helped me think more like a business manager. The visits included trips to the Houses of Parliament, Aldi’s distribution centre, a hatchery and an egg processing factory. These experiences give you a wider knowledge of the sector, as well as understanding more about what the NFU does on behalf of its members. We also did leadership, negotiation, and media training, which were completely new experiences for me. The negotiation training was particularly useful – I’ve already used what I learnt to get a decent deal on a new tractor.
“When you work in farming it’s sometimes hard to make time for these things, so being on a programme like the PIP is a great way to gain new experiences. You learn things on the visits and by talking to the other people on the programme that you can take back to your own business. If you’re a young person working in poultry and looking to develop personally and professionally (as well as have some fun along the way) my advice would be to go for it and apply for the PIP – you won’t regret it!”
Karl Hodgson
Karl Hodgson, broiler producer and member of the most recent PIP group, shares his experience of the programme:
“I live and work on the family farm in Cumbria where we have 112,000 broilers, arable cropping and an agricultural contracting business. “After studying business at college I returned to the family farm to get more involved in helping run the business. When I heard about the PIP I thought it would be a great opportunity to develop my understanding of the poultry sector and improve skills like public speaking, leadership and negotiating. I didn’t go to uni so I also thought it would be a good opportunity to broaden my horizons and meet other young people in the industry.
“I really enjoyed the programme – it pushed of stockperson’s mindset
HOW TO APPLY
To apply for the NFU Poultry Industry Programme, please send a CV and covering letter to NFU Poultry Adviser Tom Glen by emailing Tom. Glen@nfu.org.uk before 15 May 2022.
Applicants must be 20-35 years old, active in the poultry industry in England or Wales, and a member of (or employed by a member of) the NFU or NFU Cymru.
