Harper Adams University increases clearing places to meet challenges in the food industry
Extra clearing spaces have been added to certain undergraduate courses at Shropshire-based Harper Adams University in a bid to address the labour gaps in the food and farming sector.
The courses which have these additional places include agriculture, animal welfare, food technology, land management and agri-business degrees.
Spaces have been added in response to the “massive national and international challenges” which the food production industry currently faces, says Kim Chadwick-Reaney, Student Recruitment Team Leader at Harper Adams.
“New entrants to the sector – including from backgrounds not previously allied to food and farming – are desperately needed and highly rewarding careers await them”, she adds.
The available courses aim to prepare students for new roles which are opening up in the sector which will be vital to ensure a secure and sustainable future for food.
Chadwick-Reaney adds: “Roles are emerging in data science, engineering and technology, environmental management and animal welfare which will all be vital to the mission to secure sustainable food supplies whilst protecting and healing our planet.”
The university hopes to build a talented future cohort to help the food and farming industry meet net zero targets through its courses.
In 2021, it launched the School of Sustainable Food and Farming, which saw it partner with the National Farmers Union, Morrisons and McDonalds to teach students about sustainable farming methods such as carbon sequestration, and using anaerobic digestion plants.
According to the 2022 edition of the National Student Survey the university achieved the fifth highest rating for ‘overall satisfaction’ in the UK from undergraduate students.
Recent analysis from the country’s university admissions service UCAS shows the number of students with university places this year has gone down 2% from 2021. While 426,000 students have secured their spot, around 20,360 are said to have not gotten a place where they applied to.
Chadwick-Reaney continues: “It might seem like a niche industry – but it’s far from it. Everyone has to eat and supply chains are becoming increasingly complex.”
“We know that many young people across the country, as well as potential mature students, are either not holding any UCAS offers for 2022 or haven’t even applied to university yet and our message to those uncertain about their future, is to consider a career in the food supply chain – there is so much it can offer!”
Any interested applicants can phone the Harper Adams University Clearing line on 01952 815 000.
Are you encouraging your students into a career in food? Find out more about the upcoming Food Matters Live event series where they can meet with graduates and industry leaders from across the sector in London and Birmingham:
