Work experience survey shows long-term employment win
As fewer university places force young people into gap-year placements, a Lantra survey has revealed nearly three-quarters of animal care and welfare businesses have recruited staff directly from work experience.
As fewer university places force young people into gap-year placements, a Lantra survey has revealed nearly three-quarters of animal care and welfare businesses have recruited staff directly from work experience. The sector skills council’s survey was conducted following a call from its industry advisors. It asked businesses for their views on work experience. Lantra’s Lisa Jarvis said: “The result is unexpected and startling. Many businesses see work experience as a duty, but our survey has shown there are real tangible benefits.” The survey sampled 144 equine businesses, veterinarians and animal care professionals across the UK. More than 85 (86.7) percent said they offered work experience citing benefits to existing staff (58.2%), raising their community profiles (62.7%) and influencing the quality of future employees (62.7%) as the main reasons. Lisa adds there are many advantages to work experience: “Work experience can develop new recruitment channels and make you more attractive as an employer. It can motivate your staff and give junior members of your team management experience. “It can also enhance your community reputation and give you the chance to harness local media. In addition, you can influence training in schools and colleges, and your business can gain a fresh perspective and new ideas.” Lantra is the sector skills council for the environmental and land-based industries. Businesses can download Lantra’s Guidance for Employers: Getting Involved in Work Experience and Work-Related Learning from www.Lantra.co.uk/guidance ENDS Issued by: Richard Fern, Marketing Communications Coordinator, Lantra. Tel: 024 76 858418 richard.fern@lantra.co.uk Editor’s notes • Lantra - Lantra, the Sector Skills Council for the Environmental and Land-based Sector, is licensed by the UK government to drive forward the new skills, training and business development agenda for the sector. Lantra represents over 230,000 businesses and 1.5 million employees in agricultural crops, agricultural livestock, animal care, animal technology, aquaculture, environmental conservation, equine, farriery, fencing, fisheries management, floristry, game and wildlife management, land-based engineering, landscape, production horticulture, trees and timber and veterinary nursing. For more information see www.lantra.co.uk.
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