Land Based and Environment
Land management and production includes: agricultural crops; agricultural livestock; aquaculture; fencing; floristry; land-based engineering; production horticulture and trees and timber.
Animal health and welfare includes: animal care; animal technology; equine; farriery and veterinary nursing.
Environmental industries include: environmental conservation; fisheries management; game and wildlife management and landscape.
Although the sector has suffered from an image of low pay and long hours, a highly skilled and motivated workforce is required if it is to compete in the global market.
The decline in agriculture has a knock-on effect on other rural industries such as animal care, agricultural engineering, land management and so on. In the East of England there are an estimated 16,000 businesses in the land-based sector, with a workforce of around 93,000. 60% of businesses do not employ any staff, another 37% employ ten or under.
80% of the workforce are self-employed.
Sustainability is very important to this sector. This means looking after the environment to help the production of crops.
How much could I earn?
Conservation and Environmental Protection Officer £26,980
Countryside and Park Ranger £20,743
Farm Manager £29,632
Farm Worker £16,762
Forestry Worker £19,963
Nature Environmental and Conservation Manager £37,006
Vet £33,583
Veterinary Nurses and Assistants £14,297
*Salary rates have been calculated using the average gross pay rates for full time workers. Figures are for the United Kingdom. Averages can hide higher earnings. With training and career development, higher salaries can be achieved. Source: Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings 2009, O.N.S., © Crown Copyright.
What we think will happen
Employment in agriculture will continue to decline, particularly the number of men and self-employed people working in the sector. The Climate Change Bill proposes extra spending on improving the environment. This is likely to create extra jobs in the long-term.
This sector will continue to diversify. The demand for skills in the provision of products and services linked to leisure, tourism, recreation, wildlife tourism or organic foods will be necessary.
There will be an increasing demand for people with skills in ICT, marketing, financial management and fundraising.
Urban regeneration is expected drive up demand for more rangers and parks staff.
Voluntary workers are a significant source of labour. Up to 500,000 regular and casual volunteers work within the sector across the UK.
New qualifications, called Diplomas, are being introduced. These will help people prepare for university, college or work. There will be an Environmental and Land-Based Diploma. Look out to see whether it’s on offer in your area.
Certain facts/figures are reproduced under the terms of the Click-Use Licence. © Red Bridge Solutions Ltd (www.redbridgesolutions.co.uk) December 2009
More information is contained in the pdf below.