Working on a farm unlocked my future

I can remember my own experience, which was not a good one at the age of 16. It was not until I found an applied and vocational learning experience that I suddenly ‘got it’ and from then on started to find education exciting, fulfilling and very motivating. Learning by doing was my way forward and still is.

GCSEs or, in my day, O Levels, were not motivating and did not excite me and when I reflect back the teachers had a real hard time. A good teacher is a very special person, especially when it comes to motivating and exciting 30 plus hormone induced 14 to 16-year-old students in a classroom environment with limited resources.

When I left school I worked on a farm for a year getting some valuable work experience. It was not difficult to get up early in a cold winter mornings because I was excited and motivated to go to work as I enjoyed it.

I enjoyed milking the cows, feeding the calves, driving the tractor and, best of all, being outside. After a year working on the farm my parents said it’s time to further my education and go to college. I got worried thinking again of my learning experience at school. I was lucky to know what subject I wanted to go into and in my case it was Agriculture. After I was introduced to a college that delivered its agricultural academic qualifications in an applied vocational manner I have never looked back.

If you are a person like me or know of a person like me who likes to learn ‘by doing’ then introduce them to a college which delivers its education in an applied vocational way.

When you visit a college ask them to tell you about the learning experience they deliver – it’s called the ‘Study Programme’. They should be able to tell you not only what qualification you will be studying and its subjects but also how they deliver and assess the qualification.

Is there any practical input, work experience opportunities, additional short employability qualifications such as animal transport certificate, rough terrain telescopic forklift truck certificate, and so on, and other experiences such as study tours and visits?

There are many good Agricultural colleges and universities out there, but make sure the one to go to is right for you as it’s the start of the rest of your life!

Chris Jones is involved in land-based education, training, and mentoring.