Stable smell in demand: More interest in agricultural jobs
More young people in Brandenburg want to learn a profession in agriculture again. In the 2023/2024 training year, 278 trainees began their apprenticeship - 52 trainees more than in the previous year, as the state farmers' association announced on Monday. Vocational training as a farmer and animal farmer are in particular demand. The state farmers' association believes that one reason for the increased interest in apprenticeships is the improved quality of animal husbandry.
For example, after 23 training contracts last year, 38 trainee positions in animal husbandry were filled again in 2023. 31 candidates want to train in cattle farming - an increase of eleven apprenticeships.
"Animal welfare is a top priority in cattle farming in Brandenburg. This has also gotten around to the next generation of professionals. Thanks to the willingness of many farms to invest in recent years, dairy and beef cattle are kept in light and airy barns with plenty of space for the animals," said the association's Vice President, Heiko Terno, to dpa.
According to him, modernization on the farms also plays a role. "We use digital herd management to monitor the health and welfare of our cows," explained the farmer. But the association also sees the varied profession with different fields of work as a reason for the growth. For example, the shepherding and beekeeping departments also have four and two trainees respectively.
According to the association's training officer, young people from their own village are increasingly opting to train as farmers. Among other things, trainees are supported in obtaining their driving license and training companies are often located close to home, said Terno.
In pig farming, however, the situation remains precarious. According to the association, no new training contracts for work in piglet rearing and pig fattening were concluded for the second year in a row. Pig farming currently has neither social nor political support, the Vice President made clear. "We can only keep appealing to political decision-makers to stop the rapid decline in pig farming in Brandenburg, to make the few remaining farms fit for the future and to work hard on communication that puts pig farming in a better light again."
Pig farming has been shrinking in Brandenburg for years. In 2022, it fell below the 600,000 animal mark for the first time. According to the association, there are several reasons for the decline. African swine fever (ASF) in particular has affected farms.
The increase in agricultural apprenticeships in Brandenburg can also be attributed to the importance placed on education in this field. For instance, many training companies in agriculture offer vocational courses that emphasize the significance of animal welfare and modern digital techniques, thus attracting young people interested in education and technology.
Additionally, the growth in the labor market for agriculture in Brandenburg is not limited to farming alone. The diverse profession offers various fields of work, such as shepherding and beekeeping, which further appeal to young individuals seeking job opportunities in the education sector.
Source: www.dpa.com
