UHI Orkney Agriculture

01/04/2026

Come and join our department🌾🐄

🌾Vacancy Opportunity: Relief SVQ Assessor – Agriculture

UHI Orkney is currently seeking a Relief SVQ Assessor in Agriculture to join their team on an as-and-when-required basis.

In this role, you will assess SVQ candidates across Orkney and Caithness, carrying out workplace assessments, maintaining accurate records, and liaising with employers to support candidate progress.

This is a great opportunity for someone with industry experience who is passionate about supporting learning and development within the agricultural sector🐄

For full details and to apply, please visit:
https://myjobscotland.gov.uk/councils/orkney-islands-council/jobs/relief-svq-assessor-agriculture-465190

01/04/2026

Agronomy Institute staff member, John Wishart, making the most of a beautiful spring day, getting the ploughing done at UHI Orkney.

These fields will soon be home to a range of crop trials and research plots, supporting ongoing work within our Agronomy department🌱

And what a view to work with!

Agronomy Institute UHI
UHI Orkney Agriculture

13/03/2026

🐄🥛🧀Thank you to Daniel Ritch at Brettobreck, Stromness for taking the time to show 20x Agricultural Students the new GEA milking robots he has installed on his farm.

It was really interesting to learn about the new technology being used, the improvement/renovation plans for the farm and the benefits it will bring to his business and livestock.🐄🥛🧀UHI Orkney Daniel Ritch Orkney Cheese CO LTD

19/02/2026

It's that time of year again when our bairns make their senior phase choices.

If you have a family member in S4-S6, we offer two courses this year linked to agriculture. The first will be on a Friday morning, taught by Victoria Moar, and the second on Wednesday morning and Thursday afternoons, taught by Zoe Jones.

Information on both is on pages 2 & 20 of the following brochure https://heyzine.com/flip-book/e2207d8dc9.html /1. Just click the link on the relevant page to apply before the 27th February deadline.

We'd love to see you and welcome you at UHI Orkney.

Created with the Heyzine flipbook maker

04/02/2026

Did you know we run a wide variety of short courses at UHI Orkney that could be useful to you, or your staff?

From practical land-based training to essential workplace skills, our courses include:

🌱 Safe Use of Pesticides
🌱 Pesticides – Vehicle Mounted Boom Sprayer
🌱 Pesticides – Hand Held Applicator
🐀 Rodent Management
📦 Manual Handling
⚙️ Abrasive Wheels
🌾 Safe Use of Grass Cutting Equipment
🌿 Grounds Maintenance
🚜 Rough Terrain Telescopic Lift Truck

…and lots more.

View the full lists here:
https://www.orkney.uhi.ac.uk/business-and-community/short-courses/health-safety/

https://www.orkney.uhi.ac.uk/business-and-community/short-courses/vehicleplant-operator-training/

28/01/2026

Are you in Caithness, or Sutherland north west to Melness / Tongue and south to Brora in Sutherland then you could get help from the Caithness Business Fund to employ an apprentice on your farm for up to 3 years. Next closing date is the 26th February and application forms available at
http://www.caithnessbusinessfund.co.uk/publications/

Please note maximum amount of financial support to any business over the duration of an apprenticeship period is a total of £24,500 (over a maximum of 3 years). The final amount awarded will vary depending on the needs of each business, the apprenticeship being undertaken, the length of the apprenticeship, availability of other funding, and demonstration of a strong commitment to hosting a modern apprenticeship and providing a supportive pathway. The scheme will pay a maximum of £11,000 in year 1, £7,500 in year 2, £5,000 in year 3 of the wage costs. Plus, up to £1,000 towards equipment directly for the benefit of the apprentice.
You can apply for year 1 apprenticeships at UHI Orkney, https://www.orkney.uhi.ac.uk/courses/svq2-agriculture-svq/ and year 2&3 https://www.orkney.uhi.ac.uk/courses/svq3-agriculture-livestock-svq/ or https://www.orkney.uhi.ac.uk/courses/svq3-agriculture-mixed-farming-svq/

26/01/2026

Are you currently at Stromness Academy and would like to come study one of our agricultural courses at UHI Orkney?

🎓 Are you a Stromness Academy pupil interested in agriculture or veterinary studies? The Kirkwood Bequest could support your future education.

You could receive up to £1,000 per year for students studying agricultural or veterinary courses at university or college. The award is available throughout your course, paid in three instalments each year.

To be eligible, you must be currently attending Stromness Academy and planning to study an approved full-time course in these fields.

📋 How to apply:

Step 1: Complete Form G5a before 5 March (before leaving school)

Step 2: Once accepted onto your course, submit Form G5b before 5 October

Download application forms and find out more: https://bit.ly/4t1MxcD

📸 Image credit: Orkney.com

28/11/2025

Another great series of Nuffield Scholar presentations on YouTube, we found this one on Neurodiversity in Agriculture particularly topical at the moment.

(Sponsored by McDonald’s UK & Ireland) How can agriculture better support neurodivergent people, and benefit from their strengths?While the farming industry ...

26/11/2025

Delighted to have Orkney Agricultural Society sponsor this award for Agriculture.

Well done to all the Agri students who graduated on Friday 🚜🐮🐑👩‍🌾🧑🏻‍🌾🎓

Thank you to all the employers who continue to support apprentices to allow this to happen. Also thank you to the local farms and businesses who allow us to visit and support practical training. It means a lot 😊

On Friday our President, Richard Scott, attended the UHI Orkney Graduation Reception to proudly present a Quaich & prize money to the Agricultural Student of the Year on behalf of the OAS.

This year it was awarded to Connor Wares from Caithness.

Well done Connor 👏 🏆

12/11/2025

🌾 Thank You for Joining Our Agri Breakfast! 🌾

A huge thank you to everyone who joined us for our Agri Breakfast this morning! It was fantastic to see so many people from across the community come together to support such an important industry — and to welcome the new faces joining it.

A special thanks goes to our Hospitality department for the delicious, high-quality breakfast, to Shannon for her organisation of this event, to Colin and Victoria for their valuable assistance and support in making the event happen, all guest speakers, and Ali and Ingrid who behind the scenes supported the Hospitality students.

Events like this are a great opportunity for new entrants and students to hear local stories, make connections, and explore the wide range of opportunities within the agricultural sector. It’s also a wonderful chance for those already working within the industry to share experiences, connect with others, and warmly welcome new entrants with open arms.

Thanks again to everyone who came along and made the morning such a success — we look forward to seeing you at the next one! 🌱

08/10/2025

🌾 Big Agri Breakfast – You're Invited! 🌾

Calling all farmers, local agri and land based engineering businesses, and young people interested in a career in agriculture!

Join us for a morning of networking, info-sharing, and community spirit at our Big Agri Breakfast. Whether you’re looking to offer student work experience placements, apprenticeships, or you’re a young person keen to explore your future in the industry – this event is for YOU!

✨ Connect with local experts
✨ Discover opportunities for work experience and apprenticeships
✨ Get the info you need to choose your career path
✨ Support student education and the future of agriculture
🍳 Enjoy a complimentary full cooked breakfast featuring the finest local produce

📅 Wednesday 12th November, 9:15 for 9:30
📍 Overblikk Restaurant, UHI Orkney

To book your place, please contact Shannon Foubister - work email/phone as shown on the poster.

Don’t miss this chance to build valuable contacts and get involved in shaping the next generation of agri-professionals.

21/03/2025

🚜🐂🐑Today the NPA Rural Skills class enjoyed a very interesting and informative visit to Millburn Farm in Harray to hear how the Sandison Family business has evolved over the years.
Thank you to Steven for taking the time to show us around at such a busy time of year 🐑🌾.
The opportunity to visit a range of farms/businesses like today provides a great learning experience for our students. 👨‍🏫🧑🏻‍🌾