COVID-19 - FEED THE NATION

As the Coronavirus emergency progresses, opportunities in food are developing. Most are entry-level positions but there are managerial roles as well. 

These roles offer a fantastic opportunity for ex-military people to use their crisis management skills as businesses are having to grow huge new departments very rapidly. The military community excels at that (in fact, military people often struggle with the day-to-day which follows).

Many of these roles may not initially appeal but consider them as Gateways to a new career. Your military training will kick in and you are likely to soon be promoted and take on new responsibilities as your true qualities shine forth.

Apply directly using the links embedded in the images of each opportunity.

This list is provided as a service to resettling personnel in these extraordinary times. No commercial relationship exists between Ruralink and any of these providers and no endorsement of their business is implied.

If you know of another opportunity which should be featured here, please get in touch.

If you want support with your application, email careers@ruralink.org.uk

This is the official site for the government's campaign to get people picking this harvest season. It provides links to employers as well as to sources of industry information.

The FAQs page is particularly informative. 

Also, follow the link to the AHDB website for best practice for operating safely whilst implementing Covid-19 social distancing, or access it directly here:

https://ahdb.org.uk/coronavirus/social-distancing-farm-businesses

HOPS Labour Solutions, Concordia Ltd and Fruitful Jobs are building a database of seasonal workers to bring in the harvest this year. Due to the Coronavirus pandemic, UK farms have a shortage of  seasonal labour to help pick and pack fruit and vegetables. 

 The recruitment team recognises that ex-military are reliable, robust candidates and will usually prioritise a veteran's application so be sure to mention that up front.

Successful applicants will receive training on the farm and can be assured that all farms, many of which are open fields, are following the correct procedures around safe working conditions during the Coronavirus outbreak.

Opportunities will arise as new crops become ripe, so these are not immediate start roles. The British growing season kicks off in earnest in May and there will be an increase in jobs in late April through the summer. The first jobs are  likely to be harvesting strawberries, green beans and salads.

Please complete the application form  direct through the link embedded in the image if you want to be contacted by Hops farms as these roles arise. 

These roles are unlikely to lead directly to permanent positions but they will provide invaluable insight before starting a career in agriculture or the wider land-based sector. It is also physical work outdoors which could be hugely preferable to spending the summer in lock-down!

If you want support with your application, email careers@ruralink.org.uk

Visit National Farmers Union Scotland webpage for links to Scottish farm businesses recruiting seasonal pickers.

Apply directly.

(Follow embedded link in NFUS image)

We are getting daily enquiries and about the "Land Army".  There are  actually several initiatives running across the country calling themselves the Land Army. Some are volunteer coordination schemes and others are employment/employer introduction schemes. Be sure you know whether you are applying for paid work or a volunteer scheme when signing up for a scheme.

Home Grown labour / Farm exchange: https://homegrown.earth/land-army/

Another, local, scheme in Kent is:

Kent Land Army: https://www.facebook.com/Kentslandarmy/

However, the biggest campaign is being run by a consortium of seasonal employment specialists who are using HOPS as their recruitment portal. If you sign up with them, they will contact you as appropriate work comes available. See below for links to their website which contains useful information about how the scheme works and how to arrange to work with a group of mates.

There are plans to allow furloughed workers to take up this type of seasonal work  but the legislation has not yet been passed.

If you are interested in a career in agriculture but find yourself with a gap over summer, this might be a good option. Not only will you learn a great deal about the realities of farming but also are likely to make connections which may lead to future employment. At the very least, you will have relevant experience on your CV to inform future employment applications and interviews - at any level.

AND, YOU WILL HAVE HELPED .. FEED THE NATION