Environment and agriculture sector
With a quarter of the workforce aged 55 or over, there is a growing need for more graduates to enter the environment and agriculture sector
Both employed and self-employed roles are available in the public and private sectors, in areas such as:
The environment and agriculture sector provides employment opportunities for a wide range of skill levels; from jobs that require postgraduate qualifications, such as a veterinary surgeon, to those that can be entered at undergraduate level or below.
For examples of job roles in this sector, see graduate jobs in environment and agriculture.
There are 230,000 businesses and around 1.2 million employees working in the sector. Employers range in size from large, multinational companies, such as JCB in the engineering sphere, to very small or family-owned businesses meeting local needs, such as equine dentists or thatchers.
Graduate training schemes are likely to be found in larger companies and with government bodies. Some of the larger organisations include:
Government organisations include the:
The sector also contains not-for-profit organisations that are concerned with issues such as protecting the environment and animal welfare. Well-known organisations include:
More than half a million volunteers contribute to the sector at any one time, particularly in the animal care and environmental conservation industries. Opportunities for volunteering can be found with not-for-profit organisations including the:
For more volunteering opportunities, search voluntary work.
Graduates entering the environment and agriculture sector can expect:
Business and management skills, such as marketing expertise, sales experience and financial acumen, are thought to be the most lacking in the workforce.
There will be a need for nearly 250,000 new workers between now and 2020, according to the sector skills body Lantra, with roles in customer service and managerial and skilled trade occupations, such as agricultural engineers, offering the most opportunities.
Explore the wide range of careers in environment and agriculture...
These job profiles are examples of graduate careers in the environment and agriculture sector:
To find the graduate job roles that best match your skills and interests, login to what jobs would suit me?
For job vacancies, search graduate jobs in environment and animal and plant resources.
If you already have a passion for the environmental sector, find out what else you need to reach your potential…
Entry to some occupations in the sector is only possible with a specific or relevant degree. A land-based engineer or environmental manager are two examples of occupations where this is the case.
Graduates from other disciplines can progress in the sector by completing a conversion course or postgraduate qualification relevant to the industry.
To find postgraduate environment and agriculture courses in the UK, search courses and research.
There is a long tradition of apprenticeship and work-based learning, and the sector provides opportunities for in-service training and development for all entry levels.
For more information on entry requirements and career development in environment and agriculture, see types of jobs.
Employers require candidates with:
Entrepreneurial skills can also be valuable due to the abundance of self-employment opportunities in the sector.
Employers have recently reported difficulty in finding suitably qualified applicants for managerial and professional positions. Those with qualifications in business or management, for example, could use a conversion course to take advantage of this shortage.
Specialised degrees often include work experience as part of the course. You can also check large company websites for graduate schemes.
Work experience can be gained through volunteering. Organisations such as the British Trust for Conservation Volunteers, Groundwork and the Wildlife Trust all offer volunteering opportunities.
To find work placements and internships in the environment and agriculture sector, search for work experience.
Work experience and volunteering are great ways to make lasting contacts and find out about new developments in the industry. This is particularly important as the sector is dominated by smaller businesses, and this is where most opportunities will be found. Over 90% of companies employ ten or fewer people, so jobs may not be formally advertised. Be sure to apply speculatively to organisations in which you are interested.
To find advertised roles, check the professional body website that relates to your desired occupation and look at local newspapers for job listings. For current vacancies, search graduate jobs in environment and animal and plant resources. You can also search for jobs at the UK sector skills council website Lantra Jobs .
Environmental and agricultural work can be found all over the world. UK graduates are valued highly abroad, especially in countries with less well-developed training systems.
In order to secure a career in environment and agriculture, you may require a specific qualification. Find out what's needed to progress in the sector...
For a sector that relies so heavily on practical and technical skills, it's not always necessary to pursue a postgraduate degree in order to enter. Some employers favour good, solid work experience coupled with an undergraduate certificate.
However, it all depends on which job you wish to do. For example, a research role will require a qualification in research skills or a similar higher-level degree. Those already working in the sector may also choose postgraduate or professional qualifications to progress in their job or become experts in specialist areas.
For more information on entry requirements and career development in the environment and agriculture sector, see types of jobs.
To find postgraduate environment and agriculture courses in the UK, search courses and research.
Joining a professional body is a worthwhile activity, providing you with relevant information and assistance, as well as opportunities to gain industry-specific qualifications and connect with like-minded individuals.
For farmers and managers in agricultural and rural businesses, the Institute of Agricultural Management (IAgrM) is a professional body that provides relevant information and support.
For those involved in environmental careers, the Institute of Environmental Management and Assessment (IEMA) is a professional body that provides qualifications across the sector.
In environment and agriculture, there are also a lot of specific professional bodies. For example, the Central Association of Agricultural Valuers (CAAV) looks after professional surveyors and advisers who specialise in agricultural or rural matters. Another example is the Institute of Agricultural Secretaries and Administrators , which represents and supports hundreds of farm and rural business administrators across the UK.
A range of professional qualifications are beneficial to help progress in the sector.
For example, IEMA provides training to help develop environmental professionals. This includes introductory courses for those new to environmental issues and courses tailored to improving specific areas of business. For the full range of training courses, see IEMA Training Courses
.
For information on employers' standards and required qualifications, visit the UK sector skills council Lantra Standards and Qualifications
.
UK qualifications are recognised overseas. It's worth checking country-specific regulations, as requirements vary and some countries demand Masters-level qualifications.