A woman in her mid-20s sat before Jenny More, director of RecruitAgri, interviewing for a position in the non-profit's graduate programme, where she would obtain valuable experience as a farm intern. She was struggling to answer the most basic questions More put to her, and getting a conversation going was difficult.
"She had exceptional marks for Matric and graduated with an agriculture BSc cum laude. On paper she was the perfect candidate, yet had still not found a job two years after graduating," recalls More.
"We require students to score at least 80% in the entry interview before they are accepted, and the woman didn't make the cut. She stayed in my thoughts long after the interview. It highlighted how the education system arms students with all the knowledge to do the job, but none to get the job."
This was one of several reasons why RecruitAgri was founded in 2018. More and her husband Guy, CEO of GA Chalkley Estates, in White River, Mpumalanga, wanted to find ways to uplift the greater White River community where they farm.
A few years ago, when Guy advertised for a mid-management job on the farm, he received more than a hundred CVs, but couldn't distinguish the one from the other, making the interview process extremely difficult and tiresome.
COMMON TREND
Speaking to other farmers soon revealed this was a common trend. RecruitAgri was started to address these issues.
"Traditionally, farm managers have been white and elderly," says More. "When these managers retire, there are often few options for a replacement on the farm, as few workers have the qualifications needed for a promotion." RecruitAgri takes in graduates who already have a diploma or degree in agriculture or a year of practical experience.
Diese Geschichte stammt aus der June 30, 2023-Ausgabe von Farmer's Weekly.
Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.
Bereits Abonnent ? Anmelden
Diese Geschichte stammt aus der June 30, 2023-Ausgabe von Farmer's Weekly.
Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.
Bereits Abonnent? Anmelden
Syngenta Seedcare celebrates a decade of innovation
Syngenta's ambition is to enable their customers' investments to grow in healthy soil from treated seeds to young plants through innovation and collaboration, writes Magda du Toit.
Agri workers shine at Western Cape awards
Lindie-Alet van Staden, a garden and olive orchard manager at L’Ormarins Wine Estate in Franschhoek, was crowned as the Western Cape Prestige Agri-Worker of 2024 at a gala event recently held near Paarl.
Small and large farmers recognised at grain awards
The annual Grain SA/Syngenta awards ceremony bears testimony to the quality of farmers in the grain industry.
Growing partnerships: Fedgroup's flexible and innovative approach
Janine Ryan spoke to Warren Winchester, general manager of impact investing at Fedgroup, about why the company became involved in agriculture, and what it offers farmers and their immediate communities.
Why fish farms fail, and how to avoid becoming a statistic
The popularity of launching fish farms is not matched by their success. Leslie Ter Morshuizen, owner of Aquaculture Solutions, explores the factors that cause most of these businesses to go under.
Where history and modernity meet in a luxurious setting
Brian Berkman kept his eyes peeled for ghosts in the oldest continuously run hotel in South Africa, but all he found was a fabulous two-night stay.
THE HITCHING POST
I'm a stylish elderly lady with a radiant glow and a good sense of humour that keeps me young at heart.
Cutworms: check the weeds on your fields!
Zunel van Eeden explains why understanding the ecological interplay between cutworms and weeds is crucial for effective pest management. Producers should disrupt the life cycle of cutworms to minimise crop damage.
Does high-density grazing mimic grazing patterns of game?
In their paper on high-density grazing in Southern Africa, professors Angelinus Franke and Elmarie Kotzé from the Department of Soil, Crop and Climate Sciences at the University of the Free State say high-density grazing systems may not accurately reflect natural ecosystems. Roelof Bezuidenhout reports.
Global grain outlook: 2024/25 marketing season
In its latest summer crops report, the Crop Estimates Committee says South African farmers intend to plant 4,47 million hectares of summer grains and oilseeds in the 2024/25 season, up 1% from the previous season. As South Africa exports maize and soya bean, Annelie Coleman reports on the latest trends in the international grain and oilseed markets, amid fluctuations in weather conditions and ongoing armed conflicts.
