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Competition ...any other business A roundup of news from Chamber members Bank backs farmers of the future
Barclays has launched #FarmtheFuture, a nationwide campaign encouraging farmers to plan for their future and tell young people about the benefits of a career in agriculture, as new data reveals that Britain’s farming population is ageing rapidly. The bank has teamed up with TV
presenter and former JLS boyband star JB Gill, who has swapped pop stardom for a rural life of turkey and pig farming, to show the younger generation that farming could be their perfect career. The number of under-25s running
farms has dropped by two thirds (63 per cent) over the last 10 years. Lack of understanding and
perceived lack of resources appears to be the key things putting young people off a career in farming, despite the job meeting many of the criteria young people look for in employment.
Nearly three quarters of millennials (71 per cent) said staying physically fit and healthy while working was important to them and over a third (37 per cent) said they would like to work with animals. However, 51 per cent believed they wouldn’t be able to afford it, while 34 per cent thought they needed to inherit land. While many farms traditionally
pass down through families, farmers with no direct succession are now exploring alternative options, including share farming agreements. These allow new entrants to farm in partnership with the farm owner with much less capital required than starting out alone. JB Gill said: “You don’t need to
own land to work in agriculture. There are many options and I would encourage anyone interested to give it some serious consideration – it’s a life like no other.”
From boyband to farming: JB Gill Mac is not looking for love
It’s the time of year when thoughts turn to love – well, that’s what happens when you have Valentine’s Day in the middle of the month. But not everyone is ready to get in the mood for love – in fact, one
well-known Birmingham institution is offering an alternative 14 February event this year, and it is called ‘Love Sucks’. The party pooper in question is the Mac (Midlands Arts Centre), and
the centrepiece of their anti-Valentine event is a screening of that heartwarming film ‘Fatal Attraction’. Also on the menu, says Mac, is ‘a complimentary cocktail or
mocktail, unlimited party food, anti-Valentine’s games with prizes and live music’. The event starts at 7pm, with the film at 8.30pm. Tickets are £25.
Top results for safari students
Students attending West Midland Safari Park’s animal courses have not been monkeying around – they’ve been busy turning in some great exam results. The park’s education team
currently run three accredited courses, from levels one to three, at the Safari Academy, which opened in May 2017. The courses are run in
conjunction with Kidderminster College, part of Birmingham Metropolitan College (BMET). Students managed to exceed the
national level for a ‘pass’, achieving a high number of merits and distinctions for various courses in
86 CHAMBERLINK February 2019
animal care and animal management. Education manager Nicola
Anslow said: “We are delighted with the excellent results achieved by all of our animal care and animal management students this year.” Following the results, the
students will now decide to either continue their education at the Safari Park or leave the academy to go to university or find a job.
Those interested in studying an animal related course can contact the Safari Park education team on 01299 404888 or by email:
animal.care@
wmsp.co.uk
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