Dairy academy launches to address skilled-manager shortage
The academy is intended for dairy professionals seeking to develop herd-management skills while remaining in their existing jobs. Its programme combines classroom instruction, farm-based workshops, online teaching and practical work, with networking and peer learning included.
The launch follows research by Arla into recruitment difficulties in the dairy sector. Among farmers who had advertised a vacancy, 82% said they had received few or no applicants with suitable skills. Arla said the proportion had remained above 80% for seven consecutive years.
The course will run for 12 months and include eight classroom and on-farm training days, eight online sessions and a four-day study tour in Europe. Participants will see different dairy systems and will be able to apply ideas from the visits in their own businesses.
Three industry specialists will lead the training, with support from other professionals. Ian Lindsay of LKL Services to Agriculture will contribute experience from almost three decades of work in people management, cow behaviour and practical leadership. Farm vet and Kingshay training consultant Michael Head, who also has more than 30 years’ experience, will teach cow handling and herd management from a veterinary perspective.
Kingshay knowledge exchange manager and course trainer Sarah Bolt said the academy was designed for ambitious dairy professionals and would allow them to use new skills in their daily work. She said well-trained and contented employees were important to farm profitability and to the dairy sector’s future.
Lindsay said training and giving staff greater responsibility were relevant to both employee retention and business performance. He said inadequate training could affect staff motivation, attention to detail, productivity and wider team morale.
Applications are open for the first intake of up to 12 people. The fee is £4,500 plus VAT. Applicants can pay a 20% deposit followed by instalments over 10 months, an arrangement Lindsay said was intended to support individuals paying for their own development and employers funding staff training.
