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Alastair Heinrich

Agricultural Policy Graduate Scheme

“…the experience has been one which I believe I would struggle to find on any other graduate scheme.”

As one of three agricultural policy graduates who started in September 2020. The year has been different to what I had imagined and undoubtedly many others may feel the same. Despite this, the experience has been one which I believe I would struggle to find on any other graduate scheme.

Through working alongside industry experts, stakeholders, and organisations, while also having the guidance of my mentor and line managers, there have always been opportunities to participate in, as well as manage projects that offer the chance to grow my skills and knowledge.

During my time in food and farming, I participated in projects including the livestock transport and welfare consultation, the poultry research seminar, and the beet delivery service audit for NFU Sugar to name a few. All of which presented new challenges and opportunities.

Within the land use and innovation team, I faced the more in-depth technical policy required to meet the demands, promote opportunities, and determine the forward thinking required to help British farmers continue doing their great work.

From assisting with the creation of a nitrate monitoring scheme for farmers to promoting the value of the great British hedgerow. I would think that I would be hard pushed to find another graduate scheme that offers not only the ability to learn, but one which offers such diversity in work as such reflects the industry it represents.