Do you like working outdoors in the fresh air, or like the idea of working with animals? You might enjoy working with engines or machinery, or want to help save the world from the impact of global warming! If this all seems wide ranging, then you will find that this career area stretches across many disciplines, abilities and areas of expertise, from science or forestry, to fishing or mechanics!

The land based industry makes up 6% of all UK businesses – employing 660,000 people.

Lantra (the Sector Skills Council for food based and environmental businesses) have developed a new STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) resource which highlights how STEM is used within land-based, environmental conservation and aquaculture careers. This helps to demonstrate the range of careers available in these sectors.  

What areas can I work in?

This career area is concerned with the natural world and appeals to those interested in animal care, the countryside, planting and landscaping, and the environment.     

Jobs and courses are available in agriculture, aquaculture and fishing, arboriculture and horticulture, earth studies, environmental and rural resource management, environmental services, forestry and working with animals.

To see the routes to getting into each of these sectors, take a look at our Career Pathway.

What kind of companies can I work for?

• Possible employers include:
• gardening centres
• agricultural chemical manufacturing companies
• livestock farms or fisheries
• veterinary surgeries
• educational institutions
• stables and riding schools
• zoos and wildlife parks
• conservation trusts.

What’s the job market like?

According to Lantra, advances in technology, such as automation to reduce human labour, means there is increasing demand for highly skilled staff in this industry. As well as essential skills and knowledge, for example, health and safety, literacy and numeracy, the most sought-after skills are:

• technical
• ICT (such as robotics), and
• leadership and management (successful planning, entrepreneurial skills, knowledge skills).

In many cases, job prospects can depend on where you live, or are prepared to live, as well as on the type of work you do and your qualifications. 

In Scotland, around 46% of jobs have high potential for automation, or some 1.2 million jobs. Increased automation has been a feature of the sector over decades, although demand remains for elementary occupations.

Growing awareness of climate change and the need for sustainable development is also creating opportunities for younger entrants with transferable skills. 

Facts and figures

• Aquaculture contributes £1.8 billion annually to the Scottish Economy and employs around 8,800 people.
• The Aquaculture 2030 Strategy aims to double the economic contribution of the aquaculture industry to £3.6 billion. It is estimated this will generate over 9,000 jobs in the sector, establishing Scotland as a global leader in the industry.
• In 2021, there were 39,300 people working in agriculture, forestry and fishing with 17,900 people working in skilled agricultural trades (46.9%). The average advertised salary in this area was £26,000.
• 25,000 people are employed in Scotland’s forestry industry; 19,555 work in forestry and timber processing, and 6,312 in forest recreation and tourism. It contributes nearly £1 billion GVA to Scotland’s economy every year.
• The UK Animal Care Industry has over 13,000 businesses and employs 78,000 people.
• The horticulture and landscaping industry contributes over £10 billion to the UK economy each year and employs over 300,000 people.

Want to find out more?

• Lantra is the Sector Skills Council for food based and environmental businesses. You can find more information about the sectors it covers and related careers and training pathways on the Lantra Careers website.

Sources

• Aquaculture Growth to 2030.
• Labour Market Profile – Employment by occupation, Nomis (2022)
• Scottish Forestry (2022)
• Scotland’s Rural College Undergraduate Prospectus (2022)
• Sectoral Skills Assessment; Agriculture, Forestry and Fishing February 2022, Skills Development Scotland

Video

Career Pathway