Our local programme is focussed on assisting young people between the ages of 18 and 26 in finding agricultural apprenticeship opportunities. Typically, the way these apprenticeships are funded is through government grants, and the criteria for being eligible for the grant funding is determined by the funder.

• Apprenticeships range from 12 to 24 months and are available across all sectors of the agricultural industry.
• Apprentices are paid minimum wage.
• Apprentices usually live on the farm where they are serving an apprenticeship, but this isn’t always the case.
• All apprentices are teamed up with a mentor who will be their key contact for the duration of their apprenticeship.

Mentors are in phone and text contact every month and are available to support apprentices at any time with all questions, big or small. The mentor also stays in touch with the Agri-Partner (farmer, business owner or institution) where the apprentice is placed, so that there is an open flow of communication between all parties.

It is most common for Future Farmers to receive funding for Work Integrated Learning which is aimed at graduates who need work experience to get their foot in the door to start their careers. We get many requests for help with in-service training, but unfortunately, we don’t often receive funding for this. When we do, we will advertise availability on our Facebook page and Future Farmer members get first preference. We are continually working to source private funding to help more people with in-service training and funding for school-leavers.

Key stats about our local apprenticeship programme:

• Our apprentices who complete our programmes are 41% male and 59% female.
• We have a 78% completion rate for apprenticeships.
• 40% of apprentices find employment in agriculture, 14% find employment outside of agriculture, 2% start their own businesses and 26% decide to stay further.
• Of the 18% that remain unemployed – the majority are those who dropped out of their apprenticeships before completion.

The apprentices that really do well are those that commit to working hard through their year on the farm, but also those that complete the Future Ready programme. All Future Farmers get access to the Future Ready programme which teaches apprentices the soft skills necessary for thriving in the workplace. Read more here.