In early, normally around 6.00am to prepare for the day’s events before the phone calls start. If there’s no hiccups or phone calls then continue with the seasonal jobs in hand which range from helping to prepare in the planting or lifting of our main crop – Jersey Royal Potatoes. In between times plan for the next season which normally comes around far too quickly. With so many colleagues and a fair amount to do each and every day being prepared with all resources in place is of paramount importance to assist in keeping the wheels moving.
What do you think are the three most important skills to succeed in your career area?
Communication – I work with 250+ people of four main nationalities, not mentioning the huge numbers of land owners.
Organisational abilities – events alter depending the situation.
Decisiveness – which depending the previous two answers can vary dramatically from hour to hour – the weather normally plays an important role.
Was this something you planned to do or did you change direction at any point in the past? If so, what was that and was it easy to do?
I initially started life out as a general farm hand / tractor driver on a market garden farm but guess I always wanted to move up the ladder. Undertaking a little more at a time under the close supervision of my managers and colleagues, I have been learning each and every day – I still am learning because every day, every person in every situation varies, topped up with having to deal with the weather which as you know can change quickly no matter what the time of year!
What do you love most about working in your career area?
Sense of satisfaction for completing a job well done no matter what is thrown in your way – normally the weather and moaning people… Working and dealing with wonderful colleagues – it’s what makes the world go round.
Are there any negative aspects of working in your career area that people considering it should be aware of?
Long hours are part of the course for many months of the year and occasionally having to deal with angry members of the public whom seem to have no respect of situations around them can be a little disheartening at times – on the whole there are relativity few scenarios each and every year – thanks heavens.
What training / quali cations did you undertake for your current role or are you currently undertaking?
Other than ‘university of life’ and ‘wanting to be here’ no taught qualifications are required – listening to my colleagues and acting on common sense normally gets me through. Above all always be honest no matter what the scenario.
Is there any other information that would be of interest to someone thinking of this career?
The want to be in this industry and willingness to listen and learn from work colleagues no matter who they are and where they come from – these folk have learnt the ‘old fashioned’ way by doing the job so they sure know how it feels like!
