Sugar Industry Programme
Recruitment is now underway for the 2017 Sugar Industry Programme and young growers are sought to learn about the sector.
In 2010/11, NFU Sugar, in conjunction with British Sugar, launched the Sugar Industry Programme. This initiative was designed to engage younger growers through a training and development programme.
How to apply
We are now recruiting participants for the 2017 programme. If you would like to participate, send your CV and a covering letter telling us about yourself and why you would like to take part in the Sugar Industry Programme to Sugar Adviser Diane Armitage via ZGlhbmUuYXJtaXRhZ2VAbmZ1Lm9yZy51aw==. Participants must be available to attend all dates on the programme. The closing date for applications is 5pm on the 3 October.
Now in its seventh year, the 2017 programme will see a new group of young growers learn about the sugar beet sector in its entirety, including how the factory operates, how we lobby in Westminster, seed production and research, industry research and how the NFU influences, adopts and communicates policy to growers. Training is also given in presentation and media skills.
NFU Sugar board chairman William Martin said, “The UK beet sugar industry has a bright future. There are challenges ahead, but there are also many opportunities. The Sugar Industry Programme, which will allow participants to explore these opportunities, goes from strength to strength every year. We receive a high level of positive feedback from past participants and I would strongly encourage younger growers to sign up and get involved. “
The programme will take place between November 2016 and February 2017, and includes a number of overnight stays. The programme is funded by NFU Sugar and British Sugar, including travel and accommodation costs, and will contribute BASIS points. Successful applicants are expected to attend all events.
The dates for this year’s programme are as follows (subject to change):
| 16 November | Open event and media training (overnight stay). Knights Hill, Kings Lynn. |
|---|---|
| Media trainer Graham Percy worked for the BBC for many years and he will focus his training on the best way to deal with TV and radio interviews. The SIP will be joined for dinner by key players from the NFU and British Sugar as well as Germains. | |
| 17 November | Germains Visit |
| Germains coat and pellet all the UK sugar beet seed and will show the SIP their research facility in Kings Lynn and discuss their priorities for future research. | |
| 21 November | SesVanderHave. Caythorpe, Lincolnshire (location TBC). |
| SesVanderHave undertake seed trials in the UK. We will be able to see how they harvest the trials and discuss the qualities that SesVanderHave look for in their breeding program. | |
| 12 December | British Sugar factory tour (Wissington) and industry presentations. |
| As well as having the opportunity to hear presentations from the key players in British Sugar, the SIP will have a behind the scenes tour of the largest sugar beet factory in the UK. | |
18/19 January | Westminster- Parliament visit, MP meetings and visit to NFU London office (overnight stay). |
| The visit will include presentations from a series of respected speakers across the sugar sector including government and the sugar trade. We will also have a behind the scenes tour of the Houses of Commons and meet key MPs from sugar growing areas. | |
| 15 February | BBRO, Norwich. |
| This visit will illustrate the latest research and development in UK Sugar Beet and allow the SIP to discuss the priorities with the key researchers in the British Beet Research Organisation. | |
| 21/22 February | NFU Conference (overnight stay). ICC Birmingham. |
| The NFU conference is the biggest annual conference for farmers in the UK and is attended by over a thousand farmers every year as well as the key decision makers in the industry. | |
| 28 February | Presentation training and closing event (overnight stay)- NFU Headquarters Stoneleigh. |
| Presentation training is done with Tessa Morton has previously worked with the NFU as well as corporate bodies such as Coca-Cola, Audi, Barclays and British Airways. |