Andrew Massey, a 23-year-old from Sherbourne, Warwickshire, is seeking a farm placement to start an apprenticeship and achieve his goal of becoming a full-time farmer. Mr Massey, who breeds pedigree Suffolk sheep and owns a flock of 16, has been passionate about farming since visiting a dairy farm at age 15.
Despite years of volunteering on farms and building his own flock, Mr Massey requires practical experience to begin a farm worker apprenticeship through Moreton Morrell College. He has gained experience on various farms and recently won a county champion title for showing his sheep.
Government statistics show that the agriculture, forestry, and fisheries sector has around 1,400 apprenticeships annually. This number is significantly lower than in other trades, such as health and social work, which sees about 80,000 apprenticeships per year.