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Barclays continues sowing the seeds of success for agri-apprentice programme

06 November 2018

Barclays has today announced the latest intake for its Higher Apprenticeships in Agriculture programme, giving five new apprentices the opportunity to gain a professional qualification in agriculture relationship management.

This year’s apprentices are based across the country, from Suffolk to Darlington, and each has a regional member of the Barclays team on hand for support throughout the course. The apprentices will learn about a range of issues affecting the sector, from cybersecurity to how farmers can approach diversification, and how to build long-lasting client relationships, specifically in the food and farming industries. On completing the apprenticeship, they will gain a university level or professional qualification.

The new candidates were recruited following the successful launch of the programme last year, which has seen six apprentices continue to progress within exciting areas of the industry.

With almost 3,000 participants going through its award-winning Apprenticeship programme since it launched in April 2012, Barclays offers a variety of programmes to suit a range of levels, interests and ages - including Traineeships, Foundation, Advanced, Bolder, Higher & Degree Apprenticeships.

Through these programmes, Barclays offers candidates the opportunity to learn new skills, and gain experience and insight. Enabling candidates to earn while they learn, Barclays Higher and Degree Apprentices receive 100 per cent funding, along with a competitive salary and benefits.

Mark Suthern, National Head of Agriculture at Barclays said: “Our new cohort of apprentices will bring a raft of fresh creativity and enthusiasm to the sector and ideas that will be invaluable to the future of farming for our clients.

"Being an agriculture relationship manager is a fantastically varied role. Our apprentices will be learning all about how to support farms across the UK, advising farmers on financing new technology to help them better maintain their crops, and offering advice on diversifying with exciting projects that can boost a farm's income.

"We have a longstanding commitment to the UK’s agriculture industry, and our apprenticeships programme demonstrates just one way that we’re helping to ensure talent continues to enter the sector."

Sharon Gillam, Head of Apprenticeships at Barclays said: “The new intake of agricultural apprentices builds upon a fantastic first year for this programme.

“Apprentices will work within different departments to gather vital knowledge and insights of the issues affecting the farming sector and the services we offer to help. That expertise cultivated over the course of the next year will make their skills invaluable to our clients.”

The new apprentices are:

  • Liam Brittain – Darlington
  • Talia Ward – Kent
  • Thomas Godfrey – Suffolk
  • Sam Wheeler – Oxfordshire
  • Pavan Baines – Leicestershire