AFTER COMPLETING their basic skills training with Scotland’s Rural College in Aberdeen, a group of 12 young recruits to agriculture have begun their on-farm placements with members of the successful Ringlink co-operative.

Now in its fourth year, the internship offers a clear pathway into rural employment for young people keen to leave the classroom and get a hands-on introduction to work. During their 30-week course, the first three are based at SRUC’s Craibstone campus outside Aberdeen.

“With SRUC they learn basic farm skills like tractor driving and forklift operation, as well as completing certified courses on health and safety, first aid and manual handling,” explained lecturer and course co-ordinator Phillip Wrigglesworth. “A new addition this year has been an introduction to tractor driving on the road which prepares the students for their imminent tractor driving tests.

“This year the scheme has attracted interest from Perth in the south to the Black Isle in the north," he added.

Ringlink Services training manager Peter Wood commented: "It has been an absolute pleasure to work with a group of enthusiastic, courteous and good humoured students and we are fortunate that these young people have chosen to pursue a career within the rural sector.".

Initially established in 1988 to help Angus farmers share expensive machinery, Ringlink Scotland is now the UK’s largest business ring with over 2700 members across north east Scotland. From a company focusing entirely on services to agriculture it has diversified into businesses including haulage, construction, and forestry.

“We are extremely pleased with the way the internship has developed and it is very encouraging to have the support of our members, SRUC and the wider industry,” said Mr Wood. “We are indebted to the Mains of Loirston Charitable Trust for their extremely generous support together with further contributions from Agriscot, Royal Northern Agricultural Society, AHDB, RHASS, GPH Builders Merchants, A. M. Phillip Agritech Ltd and Groundwater Lift Trucks Ltd. It provides us with an excellent platform to develop the internship into a nationally recognised scheme that will add value to the entire industry.”