A new report from Phoenix Insights – Work in Progress – Unlocking the value of adult careers guidance – reveals that a more strategic approach to career support could not only inject billions into the UK economy overall but could also be a game changer for the country’s agricultural and horticultural sectors.
The report argues that tailored, accessible careers guidance is particularly crucial for the rural workforce, where many individuals working in agriculture and horticulture are not only facing skills mismatches but also missing out on opportunities to progress into roles that better match their expertise.
Phoenix Insights’ modelling suggests that every year over £70 billion in economic value is lost due to skills overmatch, with many in rural areas and farming communities having skills that could be utilised far more effectively in specialised roles within the sector.
Phoenix Group’s Catherine Foot, Director of Phoenix Insights, comments:“Helping people to identify job opportunities that are more suited to their skillset could inject billions into the UK economy.“The Government’s plans for a new National Jobs and Careers Service have the potential to reinvigorate the UK labour market, by ensuring people can find jobs that are right for them at different stages of their life, boosting productivity and enabling more people to stay in paid work that suits them all the way to retirement.
“Careers guidance for adults does not currently work as we need it to. We must see accessible support tailored to local employment needs made available to all the people who would benefit from it, irrespective of their employment status.“The Government has repeatedly stated that improving the UK’s productivity is one of its core ambitions. A comprehensive and well-funded careers service that values adult career guidance is a pivotal step towards achieving that goal.”
For those working in agriculture and horticulture, improved career guidance could help bridge the gap between existing skills and emerging roles – such as agritech innovations, sustainable farming practices and advanced horticultural techniques – that are driving the modernisation of rural industries.
Better informed career decisions could help reduce the current mismatch where a significant proportion of the workforce is either overqualified or over-skilled for the roles they occupy, as is the case in other sectors too.
The report outlines seven design principles for the new National Jobs and Careers Service, which are equally applicable to the agricultural and horticultural realms:
Rebrand and extend the reach – Adapt publicly funded career guidance to encompass rural communities and the specialised needs of those in agri/hort sectors.
Proactively target beneficiaries – Ensure that those working in agriculture and horticulture are specifically identified and offered tailored support.
Invest in capacity, technology and the workforce – Modernise career guidance platforms to include tools and expertise relevant to rural industries.
Provide high profile leadership – Champion the unique challenges and opportunities in the agricultural and horticultural sectors.
Deliver a national service in a local context – Tailor services to reflect the distinct needs of rural areas, where local economic conditions and agricultural trends vary widely.
Integrate into wider government policy – Align career guidance initiatives with agricultural and rural development strategies.
Focus on long term impact – Prioritise sustainable career development to support lifelong progression within the agri/hort sectors.
With ongoing skills shortages and the increasing complexity of modern farming and horticulture, such targeted support could be pivotal in realigning the sector’s workforce with the demands of contemporary roles.
A more effective careers guidance service has the potential not only to bolster productivity but also to create a more resilient and adaptive agricultural and horticultural industry across the UK.
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