UK: Hort students and industry to feel HDC bursary benefit

Six students, all from Harper Adams University, have been confirmed as the first beneficiaries of a bursary scheme introduced by the Horticultural Development Company (HDC). Students on BSc Agriculture, Agri Business, Crop Management and Agri Food Marketing courses at Harper Adams are set to benefit from the HDC Undergraduate Final Year Bursary Scheme launched at the end of last year in response to the identified need to build and sustain a skilled workforce for the horticulture sector.

The Bursary offers £4,500 towards the costs of final year tuition and is available to students incorporating a 12 month placement within the industry in their studies. All six successful recipients of the 2013 bursary have secured placements with employers.

Jon Knight, Head of Research and Development at HDC said, “It’s a pleasure to be able to support the promising horticultural talent emerging from our universities and colleges.”

“Building capacity for a highly skilled horticultural workforce is central to the HDC’s research strategy, and through initiatives like our bursary and studentship schemes we are able to encourage more undergraduates to experience the horticulture industry first-hand and to consider it as a viable and exciting option for their future career.”

The successful students, all taking BSc qualifications will take up a range of different industry placements at Riviera Produce, Farndon Fields Farm, Emmett Wales, Intercrop Limited, The Co-operative Farms and Roots at Rushwick.

Dr David Llewellyn, Vice-Chancellor of Harper Adams University, said: “There is no doubt that these bursaries will provide much needed financial assistance for the successful students, as well as excellent opportunities to work with leading horticultural businesses." “We are delighted to be part of this scheme and would like to thank HDC, and the companies involved to date, for their generous support for our students.”

For 2013 – 2014 up to ten bursaries will be made available with the application period due to open up later this year. Undergraduates are encouraged to check the HDC Final Year Bursary scheme page at www.hdc.org.uk/hdc-bursary-scheme for more information.

Source: HDC