Land-Based

The modern-day land-based sector includes a wide range of work and careers in Agriculture, Environmental and the Animal Care sector. The term ‘land-based’ traditionally relates to farming and industries connected to the land and environment, including horticulture, food production, forestry, conservation, landscaping, and equine (horses).

The South-East of England agriculture and forestry sector is a vibrant, dynamic part of the regional economy directly employing over 50,000 people. There is also more woodland than other regions at 25% of its land area.  Growers, within West Sussex form a significant part of the local economy employing over 10,000 full-time equivalent staff.

Why choose Land-based?

The South-East region, West Sussex in particular, is unique in England in having an almost balanced split between horticulture (growing fruits, veg, flowers etc), arable (growing crops) and livestock (farm animals) production. Expertise in intensive crops and the region’s climate and soils means it is also the centre of the UK’s growing viticulture (grape harvesting) sector, which has grown significantly in the 2000’s. Reports suggest the sector will grow nationally by 2040, with over 70% of this growth in the South-East creating 21,000 jobs, many of which will be in West Sussex.

What skills will I need to succeed?

Transferable Skills (things you can use in any job): Problem solving, Strong written and verbal communication skills, Manual Handling, Hospitality

Technical Skills (things specific to jobs in this sector): Food production management, Use of specialist machinery (Arboriculture, Horticulture, Viticulture), Nursery husbandry skills, Tree Surgery, Plant science/knowledge (Horticulture, Viticulture), Tractor driving with certificate (Agriculture), Wine making (Viticulture).

Jobs in the Land-based Sector