Solution to Address the Need for Seasonal Labour in Agriculture

With the no immediate end to the Pandemic in sight and crops that needs to be harvested, Defra has launched a new website which brings together those who are looking for work on UK farms over the harvest period with recruiters who have roles to fill. The Pick for Britain website will act as a hub to signpost people to the jobs available and to provide information about this type of work.

George Eustice MP (Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs) addressing the issue of seasonal labour in fruit and vegetable farms across the UK said that “it is crucial that government and industry work together to help the sector recruit local labour and students this year. That is why I am so pleased to be able to launch a new website – developed with industry – to support this effort. The website will act as a central hub to signpost people to the jobs available and to hold guidance and resources so growers, workers and industry can have a single place to go.

The website includes links to the Governments ‘Find A Job’ portal, which will give access to a wide reach of potential applicants. The portal has more than 1.6 million registered users. We are also looking to provide links to a wide range of recruitment campaigns organised by labour providers on the Pick for Britain website”.

There are a wide range of roles across the country and they can vary dependant on the type of business and the website makes it clear that picking can be hard work and can involve being outdoors through all weather conditions.

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