McDonalds is launching a campaign to increase diversity within the industry to mark 10 years of its Progressive Young Farmer programme, which provides hundreds of opportunities for young people to get a foot on the farming ladder.
We know we are desperately in need of new talent in the farming sector, and that it can provide diverse and fulfilling careers.
But research released today by McDonalds UK and Ireland reveals that the 60 per cent of young people are not considering a career in agriculture, mostly due to a lack of relatable role models and negative perceptions about the industry.
The research shows that young people are not seeing farming as a viable choice. Over two-thirds of young people fear a career in farming would not provide them with job satisfaction, and a further 70 per cent do not believe they have the required skills.
The average age of a UK farmer is 59, and over half of farmers say their farm cannot find the talent it needs.
With 64 per cent of those aged 19 - 22 see a lack of people like themselves in the industry as a key barrier to entry.
As one of the biggest supporters of British agriculture, McDonalds is committed to playing its part in inspiring the next generation of farmers. Their new campaign to increase diversity within the industry will challenge such misconceptions and has the support of some famous faces including AJ Odudu and Hannah Jackson. They are also calling on the industry to encourage more people from all walks of life to consider a job in agriculture.
Over the last 10 years, the Progressive Young Farmer programme has helped more women enter the industry, but McDonalds is going further by launching its Young Talent Programme which aims to kick start over 100 careers in food and farming for young people from diverse backgrounds by 2030.
research
| Top reasons young people are failing to enter the farming industry |
Top ways farmers believe they can encourage more young people into the industry |
| Lack of knowledge:I dont know enough about the industry (75%) | Show young peoplehow important farming is to the country(52%) |
| Lack of skills:I dont believe I have the right skills for a career in farming or food (70%) | Show thework life balanceis no worse than a lot of other careers (i.e. corporate jobs) (43%) |
| No job satisfaction: I dont believe its a career that would provide job satisfaction (68%) | Demonstrate farming comes withgood salary and benefits(41%) |
| Lack of role models:I havent seen anyone that works in the industry that looks like me or has my background (64%) | Increase their understanding about thejob satisfactionthat comes with the industry (38%) |
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Their new two 12-month long pilot programmes are just the start - the McDonalds Root2Food programme will give young people from non-farming backgrounds vital experience, and a new restaurant placement programme aims to provide the McDonalds crew the opportunity to work across its supply chain.
AJ Odudu and Hannah Jackson will be working together to meet Progressive Young Íæż½ã½ã throughout McDonalds supply chain, and the hopes are that by sharing what it is like to be a farmer in 2022, some of the misconceptions young people have about farming will be broken.
Beth Hart, Vice President, Supply Chain and Brand Trust at McDonalds UK & Ireland, says: We wouldnt be able to serve our customers with the food they love without the fresh, quality ingredients we source from over 23,000 British and Irish Íæż½ã½ã. Securing the agriculture industrys future means securing our future as well, and thats why were going even further this year to inspire a new generation of farmers. Building on the success of ten years of our Progressive Young Farmer programme, we hope the campaign and the programmes were launching today will start an important conversation about the real benefits of a career in our industry.
McDonalds is also conducting additional research with LEAF Education and the School of Sustainable Food and Farming, to further understand the attitudes of 1218-year olds, and their beliefs and values when it comes to food and the natural environment. This could help to shape the development of its future education and engagement programmes.
Carys Martin, who is currently on the PYF scheme at McDonalds and on placement with Moy Park commented: Before starting my PYF placement I had no idea about the variety of roles and skills that are needed within the farming industry. But its really shown me that being a farmer is so much more than just working out in a field! Over the last year, Ive had the chance to understand the intricacies of the whole supply chain learning about everything that goes into making McDonalds menu items. Ive also had the opportunity to attend industry events and have learned more about the commercial side of food production as well. Id encourage anyone unsure about what they want to do next, to find out more about farming.
