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I recently heard that broccoli pickers are being paid £ 30 an hour due to a lack of manpower.
I am currently out of work and I like the idea of ​​doing some “outdoor†work that could help me improve my fitness, while also earning some money before Christmas.
Is there really a shortage of workers, how do I find a job near me, what is a realistic hourly wage offered and while I am not left out, do I need to be in excellent physical condition to apply?
Some reports say fruit and vegetable pickers can earn up to £ 30 an hour, but industry says it’s not yet a standard salary
Angelique Ruzicka of This is Money says: Vegetable producer THClements & Son Ltd recently ran an advertisement for field workers on its Facebook page, saying workers have the potential to ‘make up to £ 30’.
Some have misinterpreted this to mean people would start with £ 30 an hour.
Thus, while there is no guarantee that inexperienced farm workers will earn such an amount, these wages were nonetheless unheard of a few years or even months ago according to experts.
In a post-Covid-19 world, the expectations of workers – especially UK workers – are that there must be better pay, an element of flexibility and more permanent work on offer.
In response to this, THClements ads included the potential for year-round work and targeted those who needed flexibility.
For example, he advertised a vacant line operator position specifically for parents who can work a school schedule.
It’s not just parents they’re looking to woo – but the ad also says it’s a “flexible change to suit those with kids or other commitments.”
While this is just one example, the general consensus is that the industry is changing in the sense that it provides better wages and more flexibility.
There is no doubt that we will see more of them next year as the demand for skilled labor increases.
The skills gap will increase in 2022
Nick Marston, president of British Summer Fruits, says berry pickers can earn £ 9-11 an hour
Nick Marston, President of British Summer Fruits, says: We are aware that many have increased their wages due to shortages in the agricultural industry.
In August and September the overall staff shortage was around 10-15% at most farms and worsened as we moved into the fall – with many seasonal workers from the EU or the Visa pilot program starting in go back home.
We expect this deficit to increase significantly in 2022 as the number of returnees from the EU coming to work on our farms continues to decline.
The salary varies depending on the specific position, but the hourly wage is based on the national living wage or the national minimum wage – and many jobs also benefit from a productivity bonus.
This means that the typical hourly wage for berry picking ranges from £ 9 to £ 11 per hour and can be higher, with earnings of up to £ 14 per hour for some staff.
The typical hourly wage may be higher for experienced staff, especially since experienced gatherers tend to be faster than newbies, so they can expect to earn more in terms of productivity bonuses.
You have to be physically active to pick fruit, but it’s easier than before.
Strawberries, for example, are now grown on tables, so there is no need to bend down, making the task much easier and faster for pickers.
Place for negotiation
This is Money’s Angelique Ruzicka adds: There are other benefits offered by farmers that could increase wages up to an hourly rate of £ 30 if you add them all up.
These can include things like training and progression, company pension, cycle-to-work program, bonuses, and free hosting.
There is no doubt that there is room for negotiation as the agriculture industry grapples with post-Brexit retention.
According to Totaljobs analysis, the sectors that saw the highest proportion of departures were the military (47 percent), advertising (42 percent), the public sector, agriculture and agriculture, and charity (41 percent).
Ross Goatham, Managing Director of AC Goatham & Son, says there are many other roles available in the agriculture industry besides fruit and vegetable picking
While the £ 30 an hour salary is not a given, there are certainly other roles you can grow into if you have the skills.
Ross Goatham, Managing Director of AC Goatham & Son, the UK’s largest apple and pear producer, said: “In the main part of the company’s production, the average annual salary is $ 30,118. , £ 40.
“Harvest workers due to the temporary nature can earn an average of £ 10.50 an hour.
“We have many career opportunities in IT roles, warehousing, quality / technical roles, traditional office administrator, truck drivers, tractor operators, commercial sales, etc.
“Many of our current managers and directors joined us 10-15 years ago or in some cases up to 20 years, as junior or seasonal workers and have progressed to senior managers or directors.
“So there are some fantastic career opportunities in our industry. “
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