Diane joins Jobfarm
Diane Smith
RURAL WORK experience initiative Jobfarm has appointed Diane Smith to spearhead the project as its coordinator.
Jobfarm, which sprang from a Royal Highland and Agricultural Society of Scotland presidential initiative, aims to make young people aware of the wide range of careers and jobs in agriculture, food industries, science and rural businesses.
Using an interactive website, built in collaboration with the Skills for Farming group, the platform has been designed for everyone aged 16 and over considering work experience, training or employment in the agricultural industry. The website will also work for host farm mentors, who can promote opportunities and upload positions directly to the website.
In her role Diane, from the Scottish Borders, will be responsible for facilitating the work experience opportunities between host farms and new student entrants within the agriculture industry. Having grown up on a farm, Diane moved away to pursue a career in the business sector as an IT project manager. Last year she made the decision to return to her roots to explore a career in agriculture again and Jobfarm offered the perfect opportunity.
She said: "There is a huge amount of work being done across the industry to encourage the young workforce into an agriculture role, however there is a need to provide a platform that connects students with host farms. This is Jobfarm's primary aim, to provide this connection platform and facilitate these opportunities.
"I am excited to be getting started in my role as coordinator at Job Farm and look forward to working with the existing Lothians host farms and capitalising on the current foundations to launch Jobfarm nationally among S4 pupils right through to post-school students."
If you are a student or agricultural business owner and want to learn more about Jobfarm, log on to http://www.jobfarm.org/ or email Diane at jobfarm@rhass.org.uk