Article from Dale Farms edition for April.

Labour issues are the single biggest obstacle to progress on farms. The efficiency of your farm depends on good management practices and fundamentally reliable skilled staff.

Farm Solutions Ltd specialise in the provision of farm managers, herd managers and general farm workers selected to work on our client’s dairy, beef, sheep, arable and pig farms in both Ireland and the United Kingdom. Our services include sourcing and selecting all levels of staff, preparation of employment contracts and full payroll service provision. Ongoing advice and support on compliance with all aspects of current employment legislation. We advise and negotiate on staff salaries while keeping your costs at an sustainable level. We advise on labour efficiencies – how to retain suitable staff and manage your costs.

We currently have 10 Regional Managers across the UK and Ireland who are specialised in recruiting appropriate skilled labour to meet farm requirements and more recently we are expanding the business to incorporate Northern Ireland.

Farm solutions aim to develop sustainability and profitability on farm businesses through 2 avenues of farm labour recruitment: 1) What can we do for Clients 2) What can we do for staff.

For the Business owner wanting to recruit farm labour

Placing Your Vacancy

The first step is to place your vacancy with us. You will be contacted as soon as possible by our recruitment team who will take all necessary details and ensure you are allocated with immediate effect to one of our experienced Regional Managers, local to your area. Our Regional Manager will contact you for an in-depth discussion of your recruitment needs and agree terms and conditions.

Applicant Attraction – Once terms and conditions are agreed we will review our applicant database for suitable staff and advertise your vacancy on our website, on Agri specialist jobs boards and across social media.

Applicant Selection – Candidate Selection is performed via registration and Interviewing. All applicants to your vacancy are fully screened and if successful at this stage are registered and interviewed to ensure their suitability to your vacancy. Once we are confident of an applicant’s suitability we will contact you with our list of applicants for interview.

Interviewing – We will recommend suitable applicants for you to interview with the Regional Manager on site if required. Following interview we can also facilitate a short trial period / farm visit by the applicant(s) on your farm.

Selection and Offer – When you have made your selection decision, you notify your Regional Manager. We contact the applicant and make the offer, agree a start date and issue contracts/terms and conditions to both you and your new worker.

Induction – On an agreed date, our Regional Manager visits your farm to meet with you and your new worker and completes all necessary administration and induction procedures which includes set up of your new worker on our payroll system and the fortnightly timesheet/pay cycle. Successful Placement / Billing – Invoicing is set within a fortnightly cycle to all clients or as a one off recruitment fee; dependent on the type of contract agreed.

If you would like to use Farm Solutions to find a job

Contact us! – The first step is to contact us by applying for a specific vacancy by telephone, email, or any of our social media channels.

Registration – You will be contacted as soon as possible by our recruitment team who will take all necessary details, carry out an initial assessment of your suitability for farm positions, register your details and put your application forward for consideration by our Regional Managers. Regional Manager Interview – One of our Regional Managers will contact you for an in-depth discussion of your skills and experience to date and define your job requirements.

Client/Farmer Interview – Once we are confident of a possible match between you and a job role/farm position, your work history and other pertinent details will be put forward to our client/ farmer. Please note none of your personal details will be shared with any of our clients/farms unless an invite to interview for the particular job role applied for is offered and we have your permission to do so. Following interview a short trial period / farm visit may be offered to you.

Selection and Offer Once the client/farmer has made their selection decision and chosen who they believe to be the best match to fill their job role, they notify our Regional Manager. The Regional Manager will then contact you and make the job offer to you, agree a start date and issue contracts/terms and conditions to both you and the client/farmer.

Induction – On an agreed date, our Regional Manager visits you at your new place of work and meets with you and the client/farmer. The Regional Manager will ensure explanation and completion of all necessary administration and induction procedures to include set up on our payroll system and the fortnightly timesheet/pay cycle, sign off of contracts and terms and conditions. This Regional Manager is then the key contact for you for all your queries, concerns and any feedback you have at any stage.

Successful Placement – Your placement will be subject to the successful completion of a probationary period, the duration of which will be outlined in your contract. Payment will be made to you every fortnight following the completion and sign off of required timesheets. All terms and conditions and payments made to you will be fully compliant with the necessary legislative requirements. Your Regional Manager is there to support you in your job role as necessary.

To discuss in confidence how Farm Solutions can reduce the hassle associated with labour management issues on your farm or if you would like to avail of Farm Solutions to find a suitable job, call us for a friendly and confidential chat.

David McCord Regional Manager for North Ireland and Northern Ireland can be contacted on 07787404714. David has significant experience in the Agri Sector and will give you professional support and advice on key areas of staff recruitment and ongoing staff management. Or if you are interested in progressing your skills and making a career out of agriculture, send in your CV for our consideration to Jacqueline at [email protected] or call our office on 00353539236222.

Check online at www.farm-solutions.co.uk for our latest jobs. The key to our success is having a full understanding of your business and its requirements.

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