Potato industry is after young professionals
The countdown is continuing for BP2013 in Harrogate, which takes place on November 27 and 28, and will bring the whole supply chain for the British potato industry under one roof, writes Jim Davies.
With UK unemployment just short of one million among 16 to 24 year olds, the potato industry bucks the trend and provides access to numerous career paths.
This year a special initiative takes place at BP2013 which focuses on attracting young professionals to the industry and Potato Council invites new talent to come and explore the opportunities.
Dr Sharon Hall of Potato Council says that our latest industry survey identified that more than 60 per cent of British farming companies and over 75 per cent of supply chain businesses find it difficult to secure employees of the right calibre, with the majority believing they'll have a resource gap over the next five years. Recruitment, training and up-skilling are necessary solutions to the knowledge gap.
BP2013 is the place to meet industry professionals and seek the opportunities.
Potato Council is funding four studentships, as part of the new-look AHDB scheme, that commenced this autumn. Its aim is to produce original research, while addressing the industry priorities outlined in the Potato Council's R&D strategy (www.pot-ato.org.uk/ r&dstrategy).
Crucially the scheme intends to deliver high calibre, practically-minded individuals who are able to work in either commercial or academic arenas. In a previous column I highlighted a number of future innovators and leaders of the potato industry who have graduated from Harper Adams University in Newport. Today I shall shine the spotlight on one who is there now.
Katarzyna (Kasia) Dybal, 31, has just started a PhD at Harper Adams University looking at potato cyst nematode and is a graduate of the Warsaw University of Life Science.
"Plant pathology has always fascinated me and I've been interested in crop production since my childhood, harvesting potatoes with my parents on our small farm in Poland," says Kasia.
"Through a combination of academic study and research, I have become acutely aware of how destructive PCN can be.
"Development of effective and safe methods of control is crucial."
"The aim of my PhD is provide a wider understanding of PCN in Great Britain, to benefit future farming generations and potato consumers."
Jim Davies is communications manager of the Potato Council
