Science working to benefit farming
Mr Fiddaman found it exciting to be at the cutting edge – quickly acting new technologies, and being part of their development rather than waiting for others to discover there profitability or success. His farm’s proximity to Rothamsted, an agricultural research centre, led to the provision of trial sites for commercial farm testing. This interest in science was one reason for becoming involved in discussions surrounding genetically modified (GM) crops.
His farm took part in the three-year farm scale evaluations of biotech crops, plus the initial protocol year. He continues to chair SCIMAC (the Supply Chain Initiative on Modified Agricultural Crops), the group which supported the trials and still basically believes that the technology has a place.
Improving skills brings benefits
In addition to a lack of funding, another obstacle for many units operating with the bare minimum of staff, is finding the time to train or participate in activities outside the farm. However local agronomy groups can be useful in these circumstances.
Mr Fiddaman contributed to Lantra’s background work upon which National Vocational Qualifications (NVQ's) are based – the National Occupational Standards (NOS). These are agreed statements that describe what competent people in a particular occupation are expected to be able to do.
These NOS support Lantra’s Standards and Qualifications Group, which he chairs. He comments:
“The NOS are the most exciting, valid and valued piece of work I’ve been involved with."
"I think the appeal is what goes behind them: What are the skills? What are the standards? Why are they there? I enjoy being involved in the debate that leads to their development and working with people in different industries. Seeing groups get together and reach agreement as to what standards and skills are desired. How they should be assessed, and how to recognise them.”
For the last 10 years he has led the team representing employers at the National Agricultural Wages Board. Established in 1948 by an Act of Parliament, it divided agricultural workers simply into either standard or craftsman for the purposes of minimum wage negotiations. The trade unions, employers and independent board members, worked with Lantra and NTPC – the holders of the qualifications and skills standards – to modernise the order five years ago and introduced a semi-skilled pay level. The further education colleges welcomed this incentive to training.
Mr Fiddaman is particularly proud to have been part of this development which should enhance the image of his industry. Providing workers with a definite career structure and ensuring people who acquire skills are rewarded with greater earnings.
Developing learning for a new generation
He chairs the Diploma Development Partnership which has developed the new Diploma in Environmental and Land-based Studies, due to become available to England’s 14-19 year olds in September 2009.
“I am really excited about this new diploma."
"My father taught rural science with many of his students going into the Lea Valley nursery businesses”, says Mr Fiddaman. “I welcome the Government’s desire to get applied learning back into the curriculum – it’s such an engaging form of learning.
“While increased understanding and interest in our sector may fuel people to choose future careers within the industries, it may hopefully also start overcoming the general population’s ignorance of what’s going on in the land-based sector. Food is not just something that comes pre-packed in a supermarket!”
Looking to the future
“Although farmers are unlikely to ever receive the highest remuneration, they can expect great job satisfaction. Lantra has observed that increasing numbers of those seeking training are career changers – they have had high pressure office jobs, and the money, but found life too stressful. They no longer worry about status, they want to enjoy their work.
“There are still some serious problems to sort, not least in the livestock sector, before people will achieve a truly satisfactory return for the amount of effort put in. But there are long-term opportunities and the combinable crop sector is seeing demand increase.
Helping the UK to have a leading role
Mr Fiddaman is currently president of the European Agriculture Social Dialogue committee representing the NFU. When a system capable of recognising common skills, regardless of borders and language was sought for Europe, his knowledge of the industry’s occupational standards and Lantra’s on-line competency framework (OCF) proved most useful. The agreed format of the resulting “Agripass” is a skills database, using a lot of work which helped develop Lantra’s OCF.
