MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Faklands government encourages young people to live and work in the Camp

Neil Watson drafting sheep at Long Island Farm on East Falkland

In a bid to encourage young people to live and work in the Camp, the Falkland Islands Training Centre is now offering an Agriculture Apprenticeship following much research and planning that started in early 2010.

Two farms have offered to help youngsters learn the skills required working on and managing a Falklands farm and the interest in available places had been good said Apprenticeship Scheme Coordinator Marcus Morrison. “Unfortunately we can only take on as many as we have places for,” he added.

The Training Centre is currently recruiting employers for 2012 with all apprenticeship bids closing on September 23, so if you think you have skills that could be passed on, and you need an extra pair of hands around the farm, Mr Morrison would like to hear from you.

Morrison explained that an employer could benefit greatly with the Falkland Islands Government funding 50% of the apprentice’s agreed wage which starts at £5 per hour for the first year, although the employer could pay more if he thought it was deserved. A tool allowance is also made available in the first year and apprentices’ health and safety equipment and training is also funded throughout the apprenticeship.

Any overseas training is also funded by the Falklands Government which includes flights, accommodation and courses costs and all aspects of farming are covered within the apprenticeship from preparing and cultivating sites for crops to livestock management and machinery maintenance.

Mr Morrison told Penguin News that Camp life was vitally important to Falkland Islands heritage and he hoped the Apprenticeship Scheme would lead the way in giving youngsters and employers a great opportunity to increase skills in Camp.

Looking further ahead, he said the Training Centre was also researching the possibility of the Apprenticeship Scheme offering the Agriculture Apprenticeship to 14-16 year olds, also known as Young Apprentices.

“At the moment it is in its early stages, but hopefully it will be up and running in 2012,” he said. (PN).-