Trouble approaching farmers to ask about jobs

[JamieS]

To give a bit of context to this. I'm 16, and looking for a farm. My main issue is one; finding contacts and two; actually convincing someone to give me a job.

Now being in Norfolk almost everything is large arable business or alot of farms. So already I have the issue of finding a suitable farm but to add to this I always get a resounding no. I've tried emails and calls but have never found the opportunity to speak face to face with a farmer.

So as this website is filled with farmers if a 16 year old like me was to contact you what would you be basing your answer on?

 

[ifindoubtflatout]

What sort of job are you looking for?
What experience have you in farming?
What qualifications?
How could you enhance the business ?

 

[JamieS]

What sort of job are you looking for?
What experience have you in farming?
What qualifications?
How could you enhance the business ?

well my uncles is the temp games keeper for langley abbey estate and every week i go help feed and work for him
and i just want any job in agriculture ive always been around it and i was brought up with it

 

[ifindoubtflatout]

Ok
How about joining your local young farmers club I know we’re in lockdown but our lot are having zoom meetings so still active
If you get to know and become friends with the local young farmers there may be a job opportunity there

then look at the agricultural colleges and get some qualifications. And I’d suggest as many “tickets” as you can

and stay keen and pleasant.
goid Luck in your search

 

[Estate fencing.]

You are probably a bit to young yet to be very useful on modern large arable farms. That said if I was approached by a young keen 16 year old that wanted to work on Saturdays I would probably take them on to train and help me.
I would recommend going to ag collage, do a course with a middle year placement and if you are a good worker you will come out with a job. That what I did and became the shepherd on the next door farm when I was in my final year at collage.

 

[Bald Rick]

Remember that you have about 5 seconds to make an impression
Have a look in a mirror and think "Do I look employable?" It might be a hair style, face jewellery etc. Harsh but it is absolutely the first impression that will help get you through a door

Great to see someone keen though. Good luck

 

[melted welly]

To give a bit of context to this. I'm 16, and looking for a farm. My main issue is one; finding contacts and two; actually convincing someone to give me a job.

Now being in Norfolk almost everything is large arable business or alot of farms. So already I have the issue of finding a suitable farm but to add to this I always get a resounding no. I've tried emails and calls but have never found the opportunity to speak face to face with a farmer.

So as this website is filled with farmers if a 16 year old like me was to contact you what would you be basing your answer on?

modern apprenticeship?

Lantra run this, Google it.

In Scotland the machinery rings and colleges are also doing pre-apprentice 6 month courses. Is there similar in England?

employing an unskilled, inexperienced 16yr old is a bit of a minefield, don’t take it personally

 

[Barleymow]

I know of someone looking for staff on a farm ,mainly working with pigs

 

[czechmate]

Certainly if a 16 year old took the initiative to ask me I would be very keen to give them a go...
Normally.
Not at the moment - Covid is not your friend currently

 

[delilah]

Find out which body locally is coordinating the Kickstart scheme. With their support write a short letter introducing yourself, explaining that you come with all your wages paid for 6 months and a £1500 sweetener. Also explain in the letter that you are not knocking on doors due to your recognition of corona restrictions. Go round any farms you like the look of and pop it through the door.

 

[Boysground]

2 students here at the moment both 17. One had an advantage as his dad works full time for me. The other approached me through the local Agriculture College, they gave her my name as I had students before. Both of them are doing courses at the college. Both work on my dairy with limited machine use at the moment

@JamieS I think you find that most farms that take on students do it fairly regularly so are used to the initial training and the odd problem that can come along with them. The biggest issue is at 16 no driving licence. My advice is to start a college course get as many extras as possible especially a telescopic ticket. You don’t say if you have done GCSEs or not. I expect you will find livestock farms employ more staff and have more work all year round that is student friendly than all arable units.

I have seen all sorts over the years, the last student who left started just milking at nights and ended up driving a 300hp tractor full time for me. He has now finished his studies and has moved on to drive a tractor and do engineering for a massive local company.

Everything is possible, persevere and ask everyone you know if they know of anyone.

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[Pan mixer]

I have had nearly all my younger employees through ag college of some kind, apprenticeships, NVQs and so on.

There is a duty of care for any employee under 18 which is much easier if an ag college or FE college is doing all the paperwork.

For an under 18 there is all that hassle with not letting them work alone with one other person etc. All round it is a bit of a nightmare for an employer at the moment, covid aside.

Having said that, good luck, you would be better going onto a stock farm or similar for a start as the arable boys wouldn't be too keen on letting a novice out with half a million pounds worth of kit without considerable experience.

The last 16 year old I had here did 2 years of day release (3 days here a week) and, when he left at the end of his course he had basic tractor driving skills, PA1,2 and 4 and a forklift test under his belt and went straight on to drive huge tractors for a contractor locally. He would have never got the job without that 2 years of experience and a reference.

Good luck, don't despair, I too was in that position decades ago, now I am a farmer with about 500 acres and lots of stock too.

 

[steveR]

I have had nearly all my younger employees through ag college of some kind, apprenticeships, NVQs and so on.

There is a duty of care for any employee under 18 which is much easier if an ag college or FE college is doing all the paperwork.

For an under 18 there is all that hassle with not letting them work alone with one other person etc. All round it is a bit of a nightmare for an employer at the moment, covid aside.

Having said that, good luck, you would be better going onto a stock farm or similar for a start as the arable boys wouldn't be too keen on letting a novice out with half a million pounds worth of kit without considerable experience.

The last 16 year old I had here did 2 years of day release (3 days here a week) and, when he left at the end of his course he had basic tractor driving skills, PA1,2 and 4 and a forklift test under his belt and went straight on to drive huge tractors for a contractor locally. He would have never got the job without that 2 years of experience and a reference.

Good luck, don't despair, I too was in that position decades ago, now I am a farmer with about 500 acres and lots of stock too.

I would echo all the above, having had numerous young people on the famr over the years. Only one was NOT through the FE system, but he was soon signed up.

I am a one man band, and the Regs have made it increasingly difficult for me to take on a trainee, to such an extent, I have declined a couple of offers in the past couple of years.

 

[JamieS]

that sounds like a great idea ngl haha cheers

 

[JamieS]

I know of someone looking for staff on a farm ,mainly working with pigs

whats there name??

 

[Boysground]

Just to add there are few things that really annoy me but 2 are closely related to this thread.

The first is the prospective employee who appears on the farm and the first line is "I chucked in college because I knew it all" thats no hope of a getting a job here, I know college and education is not for everyone but to start with that attitude is wrong, I like to think I am still learning. You would be surprised the number of times I have heard that.

The second is farmers who say "I cant find any experienced staff" well if nobody gives the young school and college leavers a chance where is the experience going to start, so when I can I give somebody a chance. it hasn't always worked out but mostly its positive.

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[JamieS]

Just to add there are few things that really annoy me but 2 are closely related to this thread.

The first is the prospective employee who appears on the farm and the first line is "I chucked in college because I knew it all" thats no hope of a getting a job here, I know college and education is not for everyone but to start with that attitude is wrong, I like to think I am still learning. You would be surprised the number of times I have heard that.

The second is farmers who say "I cant find any experienced staff" well if nobody gives the young school and college leavers a chance where is the experience going to start, so when I can I give somebody a chance. it hasn't always worked out but mostly its positive.

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thats great but idk anyone who would give me a chance i have a little experiance but i want to expand it

 

[Kidds]

Advertising yourself on Facebook seems to work around here. Just make sure your grammar, spelling and punctuation are in order. (not saying they aren't)
Best of luck

 

[JamieS]

Advertising yourself on Facebook seems to work around here. Just make sure your grammar, spelling and punctuation are in order. (not saying they aren't)
Best of luck

haha cheers ill take a look

 

[Robt]

With my father hat on. Please speak to your college and get them to help. Like Boysgorund said. You will never reget getting qualifications but you will regret not getting them.!!!!!
PS, note my spelling