Page 49 - Regional Employment & Skills Plan

Recently the Farmers’ Union of Wales has stated that the farming industry risks becoming “stagnant” unless more is done to encourage the younger generation into the sector. Latest figures indicate that the average owner of a farm holding in Wales is over 60 years old with only 3% under the age of 35. This is particularly concerning, as a result, the FUW are calling on WG to introduce an action plan to address this, centred on three important elements which need to be addressed;
• A financial incentive to help older farmers to retire in the hope of freeing up land
• Reversing the loss of council-owned holdings
• A financial incentive which would encourage older farmers to retire, creating room for younger new
entrants to the sector.46
Skills Gaps
Recruiting qualified chefs in the region is a significant challenge as is recruiting qualified HGV drivers.
3.4.2 Primary Research Analysis
Response Profile for Food and Farming
10
5
0
Challenges and Drivers of Change and Demand
47
Micro Small SBCR GMW Regional
Medium
Large
The recruitment for both skilled and non-skilled roles was reported as a significant challenge for employers. This is especially prevalent for businesses that would like to expand and move the business forward.
This is particularly concerning given the ageing nature of the sectors’ workforce. A failure to attract enough new entrants to the sector with the desired skills could potentially be incredibly damaging for the sector and its skills base.
At a sectoral level the evidence indicates that employers feel that there is a severe lack of specific training within the Food and Drink manufacturing and processing sectors in Wales.
This lack of fit for purpose provision is of course a contributing factor to the recruitment challenges faced by employers.
One business stated that location is the most significant challenge for them;
‘Being located in a National Park places severe restrictions on our capability for expansion, as their planning rules tend to be much stricter than those of Local Authorities; we are not therefore on a "level playing field" with our competitors.’
46 http://betternews.co.uk/royal-welsh-show-fuw-urges-help-for-young-farmers
Regional Employment & Skills Plan South West & Mid Wales Sector Profiles