The UK agriculture workforce is known to be significantly underrepresented by people from marginalised groups including Black and people of colour; people with disabilities; and those from the LGBTQ+ community. Having diversity initiatives to attract people from those demographics can only go so far to increase representation as the root causes of inequity need to be addressed from within the sector for it to be truly inclusive.
As one means to address this, the Nuffield Farming Scholarships Trust (NFST) is developing an online diversity and inclusion training module that will support farms and associated businesses e.g. veterinary practices and nutritionists to understand issues around inequalities and diversity. This will encourage them to reflect on their role within creating an inclusive workplace and society and will in turn enable them to more effectively engage with people from underrepresented groups. It’s envisaged that participants will also be able demonstrate that they have taken part in the training which could consequently attract people from these groups to join their workforce.
The training is being developed by a specialist diversity, equity and inclusion training company in collaboration with people from marginalised groups to ensure that the module relevantly covers the issues faced by people in areas underrepresented by age, ethnicity, sexual orientation, physical ability and neurodiversity.
The self-directed training is due to launch in September 2024 via the NFST website and there will be a launch event to further amplify some of the unheard voices in the sector. There will be small fee to participate in the training which will be confirmed in due course.
By addressing and facing up to some of the root causes to inequalities in the farming sector there is a genuine opportunity to change it from within.
For more information on the project at this stage contact Navaratnam Partheeban (Theeb) at vetsfarmuk@gmail.com or Amy at amy@oxtale.co.uk.
