NFU Next Generation Forum 'Future of Skills' fringe event

Over the past 18 months, NFU Next Generation Forum chairman Simon Gadd has sat as Vice Chair on the Agriculture and Horticulture Skills Leadership Group (SLG), along with Oli Lee, NFU’s county chairmen for Leicestershire, Northamptonshire and Rutland. The SLG has been working on revamping the industries skills landscape. The work has now developed to a stage where the group wish to gain endorsement of their vision for an industry backed body to support and develop lifelong learning and to address the fragmented nature of the current skills landscape.

Why you should attend:

• Are you concerned about the fragmented nature of the skills and learning in the industry?
• Do you believe we all have a responsibility to invest in skills and lifelong learning?
• Do you have an opinion on how the industry should take a lead in transforming and future proofing the industry via its people?
• Are you keen to develop yourself and your business and to learn how you can benefit from this initiative?

If so, the NFU's Next Generation Forum would be pleased to see you at their free Oxford Farming Conference fringe event on 7 January 2020 from 1 – 2pm.

NFU Deputy President Guy Smith said:

"Few would disagree that to meet the challenges of tomorrow, British farmers will need to become better skilled and better trained. Now is a good opportunity to discuss how we can meet these challenges."

NFU Next Generation Forum chair Simon Gadd commented:

"We aim to create a single point of access for careers advice, training opportunities and employer and employee support for new and existing entrants. In turn, the industry will be a more productive and desirable place to work attracting and retaining a more skilled, competent and motivated workforce."

This free event, entitled “Future of Skills” is part of a wider free fringe event programme, more details of which can be found here.

The event will be modelled around an informal ‘question time’ style debate with an initial overview of the groups work and its ambition to ensure our industry is fully recognised for its competence and professionalism. The hosts and panellists are as follows:

• Simon Gadd - Vice Chair of the Skills Leadership Group, chair of the NFU Next Generation Forum
• Oli Lee - Vice Chair of the Skills Leadership Group, NFU county chairman for Leicestershire, Northamptonshire and Rutland
• John Shropshire OBE – Chairman of G’s Fresh
• Karen Halton – silver winnder for dairy innovator of the year 2018
• John Charles Jones – NFU member and Council delegate