The UK's workforce has been through tough times in the last few years, some might say a revolution. It's not news that the agricultural sector has been hit particularly hard. It is the perfect storm: between the 'rock' of Brexit and the 'hard place' of the post-Covid world with labour shortages and major changes in the skills needed for the sector.
In the labour market, we have seen a range of tactics being used to alleviate the pressure: offering higher wages or providing subsidised accommodation. However better terms and conditions, and training is proving essential. Local workers are in very short supply. However, the deficit has led to well-publicised incidents of abattoirs closing, crops not being planted or being left in the ground / on the tree.
Recruiting directly from overseas with contracts being formed with overseas purchasers of goods to provide the labour to prepare / pick the crop to be supplied, works for some. In recruitment of non-UK nationals, there are other options available to assist. You could become a sponsor if you have offices, partners or subsidiary companies based abroad. It is reported that 20,000 businesses have registered to employ overseas workers in the last two years. For many in the industry, that may not be feasible but following the visa route would mean no sponsorship. If someone is in the UK on a student visa, it might be possible for them to apply for a graduate visa and work for two to three years.
Labour shortages are one of the considerations in the growth of agritech. Investment in technology reduces the reliance on labour and there is well-publicised work on driverless kit, robotic picking and the prospect of gene editing to improve quality and quantity. Working more smartly using new technology or improving your use of available computerised programmes (subject to availability of robust rural broadband), has brought in to sharper focus the skills gap which has been growing for some time. Low wages, dirty work, toiling outside in all weathers is just not appealing to a new generation. Overlaid with lack of training and little thought on progression, it has become a struggle to find people with the right skills or right mind set.
Fixing the image would go a long way towards helping fix the skills gap. More emphasis on offering training, utilising grants and offers from local education providers. Don't overlook the Government financial support for start-ups and stock or crop development.
The focus of the industry is shifting to the technology route, but people are still the biggest asset and what they want is changing. Being open to exploring what technology has to offer and helping workers upskill to operate it, is essential.
