Aldi and The Prince’s Countryside Fund launch initiative to find next generation of farmers

Discount grocer Aldi has partnered with The Prince’s Countryside Fund to launch a joint initiative which looks to encourage younger people to be involved within the agricultural industry.

The ‘Opening the Gate’ scheme will see young people across the UK provided with skills, knowledge and confidence to succeed in farming.

To do this, the collaboration will be providing a series of free virtual workshops, with the first on 21 November set to look at work experience, employment opportunities and networking.

Alongside each session, online resources including case studies, short career advice videos and expert top tips will be available for the initiative’s participants.

For support, industry experts such as university admissions officers, graduate recruiters and farm managers, as well as young people who have already begun their careers in farming will also be accessible.

This comes following the partnerships research which found that knowledge and development opportunities being sparce was one of the key barriers preventing individuals from entering into the agricultural industry.

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“Our partnership with The Prince’s Countryside Fund is designed to encourage more people into farming who may not have grown up with a farming background or in farming communities,” Aldi UK corporate responsibility director, Liz Fox said.

“We are immensely proud of the Opening the Gate programme, which will give more young people the opportunity to learn and develop their careers in the agricultural industry, whilst also offering the information and support they may need to overcome any barriers.”

The Prince’s Countryside Fund executive director, Keith Halstead added: “The Prince’s Countryside Fund is committed to supporting young people and new entrants into farming, and to successfully navigate this period of agricultural transition.

“We’d like to say a huge thank you to Aldi for supporting the Opening the Gate programme which will equip young people with the networks, resources and expertise to ensure sustainable and viable farming enterprises for the future.”