HEATHER Kerr, 21, a third year BSc Agriculture student from Maybole in Ayrshire, is currently enjoying her 10 week placement with the Ayr office of SAC Consulting, part of Scotland’s Rural College. 

She is spending the summer helping in the busy centre, shadowing experienced consultants and deciding if a job on the SAC Consulting Team is what she wants to do when she finishes her honours degree course in 2017.

Heather, who is studying at SRUC’s Ayr Campus, is one of three SRUC students gaining summer work experience in an SAC Consulting offices this summer.

She said: “I have been out on farms taking soil and silage samples for analysis as well as talking to farmers and checking forms for different schemes. I have also been working in the office helping to write reports and also had the opportunity to attend key farming events such as Scotsheep and the Stranraer Show.”

“It has been really enjoyable and although mainly based at Ayr, I have also been working at the Lanark, Dumfries and Stranraer offices.”

Andrew Leggate, Assistant Regional Manager with SAC Consulting in south Scotland is an enthusiastic supporter of the scheme. “This year we had 11 students competing for the three places funded with bursaries from the SRUC Trust which also helps support the students in their final year.

“We have a number of full time staff in our 23 Scottish offices who started this way. It is a chance for students to learn what being a consultant involves and for us see their potential

“The students are very helpful during their placements and carry out a range of tasks ranging from soil and silage sampling to form filling and other administrative tasks. All our consultants enjoy the students’ youthful enthusiasm.”

Equally supportive is Andrew’s colleague from SRUC’s Education Division Sonia Filby, Student Experience Manager.

“The scheme is now in its 12th year and generates strong interest as students hear from each other about its value and the opportunities it brings. It helps us to provide invaluable insight into job opportunities with SRUC and elsewhere.

“We have been very impressed with the considerable agriculture experience and knowledge our students demonstrate, together with their enthusiasm for the sector and the opportunities it presents for their futures.” 

Heather, who was brought up on a beef and sheep farm in the Carrick Hills, is now intrigued by the possibility of working as a consultant after graduating.

“The placement has been a great opportunity to make new contacts and it is a career I would like to pursue in the future.”