Agriculture, environmental and animal care. More traditionally farming and food production, forestry and conservation, game-keeping, aquaculture, landscaping and horticulture. New and expanding areas of the Land Based Sector include viticulture, hydroponics, Agri-tech, with a growing area of teaching in colleges or universities or other non-traditional education establishments.

A diversity of career paths drawing on different skillsets, many of which you may already have. There is a definite synergy between skills developed through military service and those required in the Land Based Sector. Management opportunities such as estate management, farm management, shoot management. Engineering and logistics opportunities such heavy machinery operator, plant and machinery maintainer, warehousing and transportation of crops and feeds. IS and technology opportunities such as  management and maintenance of automated systems, programming autonomous systems, interpreting big data into efficiencies.

Brexit and CV-19 are proving to have long-term consequences and there is a pressing need for ‘good people’ to join the land-based sector at all levels throughout the UK. There are

Not all roles will require formal qualifications. Clearly this will depend on the area/areas of interest within the Land Based sector. Some training may cover practical skills required in order to obtain a Certificate of Competence (CoC) for equipment operation, known as a ticket. While other qualifications may be more theoretical. Equally qualifications and training will range across the academic spectrum and range from short courses to 3 or 4 years of study dependent on entry level.

Examples:

NPTC and Lantra (CoC/ticket)

Agricultural tractor operator
Chainsaw operating, maintenance and cross cutting.
Pesticides spray operator

NVQ and BETEC

Countryside management
Horticulture grounds management
Blacksmithing/farrier

Foundation Degree, Batchelors and Masters

Arborist
Veterinary nurse
Land agent

National Proficiency Tests Council, essentially City and Guilds for the Land Based Sector. A wide range of land-based qualifications are offered through a strong focus on short courses delivering the specialist skills required for Land Based Sector employment.

National Training Organisation for the Land Based Industries developing training and qualifications across the Land Based Sector. Training is delivered through a national network of Provider Partners, instructors and assessors.

Land Based Colleges Aspiring to Excellence is a subscriber organisation for Colleges and Universities providing significant education and training in Land Based Sector occupations. Working for its members Landex has close liaison with industry representatives, funding bodies and Government ministers to ensure training and education remains current and relevant, and to ensure the unique role of Land Based Sector colleges is reflected in Government policy.

CoC/tickets are proof to an employer that training has been received and assessed, will be the minimal requirement for insurance purposes and are actively encouraged from an HSE perspective. Some are required for licence to practice, and some for membership of a Continued Professional Development (CPD) register.

Volunteer roles are prevalent across the Land Based Sector and there are many charities and organisations actively seeking volunteers. Volunteer work is a great way to gain practical hands on experience, provides the opportunity to assess the role and determine if this is something you wish to do for employment. Additionally, you will be developing your network of contacts. Having the pertinent CoC/tickets in advance will allow you to get the most out of your volunteer time and may lead to employment.

Each area of the Land Based Sector will have governing bodies who can provide a lot of useful information and opportunities. Additionally, charities established specifically to support service leavers and veterans into the Land Based Sector. HighGround, for example, provide a one week briefing course called Rural Week. This is a residential week providing briefings and insights into many aspects of the Land Based Sector through presentations, guessed speakers and visits.

Opportunities for both employment and self-employment exist within the Land Based Sector. Some roles may typically determine one or the other, for example grounds keeper or estate manager will likely be employed. Whereas an independent tree surgeon or smallholder will likely be self-employed. As there are options for both, this is a consideration when entering into or seeking a position in the Land Based Sector.

Agricultural Technology is the innovation and application of technology and technological advancements to improve efficiency, yield and profit margins across farming and wider Land Based Sector. There is a definite synergy between military use of tech such as artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning and internet of things, and advancements required in farming and across the Land Based Sector. This may include programming and management of automated milking parlours, autonomous plant, machinery and vehicles, sensors, cameras and drones, and interpretation and presentation of big data.

While there are elements of work which are seasonal, permanent employment does not have to be. Working in the Land Based Sector can be as flexible as you want it to be. It is not unusual to adopt a portfolio approach engaging in a number of different activities, some of which may be seasonal. Equally you may choose seasonal employment allowing you time for other things.