A food and farming apprenticeship scheme is recruiting industry ambassadors to help promote the wide range of career opportunities in agriculture.

EDGE Apprenticeships in Food & Farming is recruiting and training ambassadors from across the land-based sectors to spread the word about the wide range careers in food and farming.

The ambassadors are volunteers who visit schools, events and youth groups to share their experience and knowledge of the industry.

EDGE has already trained 39 ambassadors, who are now visiting schools, career events and shows across the east of England, interacting with young people of all ages.

EDGE Project Co-ordinator Ann Steward said: “Getting the message out to young people about how many opportunities there are in the food and farming sector is essential.

“Having real people, who can talk about real jobs, is invaluable and it’s the perfect way to educate young people about career options.”

EDGE ambassadors receive nationally-recognised STEMnet and BrightCrop training.

EDGE Apprenticeships in Food & Farming launched in March 2013 and has already placed 114 apprentices on work placements and training courses at Easton & Otley College.

EDGE Apprenticeships in Food & Farming is industry-led and is a collaborative venture between agricultural purchasing groups Anglia Farmers (AF) and AtlasFram Group, in conjunction with Easton and Otley College, New Anglia LEP, Norfolk County Council and Suffolk County Council. It is supported by £1.4million of co-investment from the UK Commission for Employment and Skills (UKCES) Growth and Innovation Fund.

The project aims to recruit 440 new apprentices across the east of England by March 2015. For more information about ambassadors visit www.edgeapprenticeships.org or email Ann Steward on ann@edgeapprenticeships.org.