| Sheep & Lambing
Considering extra pairs of hands this lambing time
By Hannah Park, National Sheep Association
L ambing time is often regarded as one of the busiest times of the year on any sheep farm. For some, this means beginning the task of finding, training and managing agricultural and veterinary students as they look to gain some practical farming experience.
For those considering taking on student help as additional labour, ensuring they get the experience they require, while utilising that much-needed extra pair of hands can be a tough balance. Connecting NSA members looking for help at lambing time with agricultural or veterinary students seeking a work placement as part of their course is a service NSA has provided for many years now.
Hannah Park, NSA Communications Officer, says:“ Members can simply get in touch a place and advert on the list which students can access to find a position. If you are looking highly experienced staff, placement students might not be right for you but equally if it’ s young, keen and enthusiastic individuals, having students
12 | Farming Monthly | January 2017 around can be a rewarding experience for both parties. Placement students are there to provide a valuable source of labour, on a short term and relatively flexible basis but it is important to consider they are there to learn. Be prepared to answer questions at appropriate times and explain procedures, even if they seem obvious to you.”
Ahead of advertising, it may be worth considering the level of experience required. Some students may have completed placements before and be comfortable working alone immediately, while others may have no experience at all.
Miss Park continues:“ Be frank about your expectations from students to make sure those of your own match with theirs. Even if a student advertises themselves as experienced, farms they’ ve previously worked on might have had different systems and practises in place to your own so it might be worth going over points like this before leaving a student to work independently.”
With it being a work experience, there is no obligation for farmers to pay students during their placement, although many choose to do so.
Miss Park adds:“ Clearly a sensitive issue, payment intentions or expectations should be discussed up front ahead of the beginning of a placement. With many students often living some distance from home, things like accommodation, hours expected, provision of meals, washing facilities might also benefit from a discussion early on so everyone knows where they stand. Equally important is considering whether a student will fit in with your system, take your time deciding who to take on and don’ t feel you have to take on the first that contacts you. We often find many sheep farming members who’ ve used the NSA Lambing List express how much they too have enjoyed the process, investing in the next generation of individuals to enter the sector.”
Find further information on the NSA Lambing List in the Jobs & Work Experience pages at www. nsanextgeneration. org. uk
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