JSR Academy: what our past trainees have to say
The JSR Academy offers a great to start to a career in the UK pig industry
The JSR Academy is an 18-month training programme for anyone aged over 18 years. It offers bespoke on the job training to anyone interested in pursuing a career within the UK pig industry.
No previous agricultural experience is needed but an eagerness and willingness to learn, a strong work ethic and a passion for caring for animals is essential. This is a fantastic opportunity to ‘earn while you learn’.
Hear from some past JSR Academy trainees:
Don’t just take our word for it, listen to what some of our past trainees have to say:
Henry, JSR Academy trainee 2023
Where were you in your career when you applied to the JSR Academy?
“I was unemployed at the time and had no experience with farm work or animals. I had previously been in the military and then in the IT sector. I saw the JSR Academy advertised and I hadn’t ever really had a career opportunity that was within a 20 minute drive of my house before, so that really appealed to me.”
What have you got out of your experience at the JSR Academy?
“I’ve got so much out of the whole process, from the qualifications to actual knowledge about the pig industry, the pigs themselves, and a better insight into farming and looking after animals.
The support I received throughout my training has been great from the colleagues and mentors I’ve had at my disposal for knowledge and advice.
I got to witness every aspect of JSR’s pig production, from Nucleus Units, AI Stud Farms, Commercial Farms, Nurseries, Grow Outs/Finisher Units. I am now in a permanent role within the Finishing Herd after successfully completing my training which makes me feel like I’ve progressed well within the Academy and the company.”
What have been the highlights of the JSR Academy for you?
“Moments that are highlights for me are quite silly ones really, but I would say finding out that I genuinely like working with pigs, despite the smell, is a big one. I value being happy at work more than most things as it’s a large portion of your life, so when you find a pig trying to piggyback another the wrong way, it does bring a laugh to the surface. The colleagues I’ve ran into so far all know how to have a laugh while getting the job done right, which is a real bonus!
The family fun day which JSR hold was also really enjoyable for me as I got to see everyone out of the work environment, it was quite early on into my training so I could meet people I usually wouldn’t have met so soon. Plus, the tug of war was fun!
Being offered a role within the Finishing Herd really does top it off for me as it felt as if everything I had done up to that moment had been noticed and my hard work had paid off.”
How do you feel about what the future holds and your career progression?
“I am just getting my teeth into my new permanent role within the Finishing Units and learning the logistics of the process as well as the basic knowledge for daily routines. But I am always hungry for more and look forward to being exposed to more of the business side of pig production and try make improvements along the way! I am really grateful for the position I am in today and appreciate the opportunities that have been given to me.”
Emily, JSR Academy trainee 2021
Where were you in your career when you applied to the JSR Academy?
“I was in my final year of college and wondering what to do next. I knew I wanted a job in agriculture but wasn’t sure what part of the industry I wanted to go into. When I heard about the JSR Academy it sounded really interesting. I loved that it was on the job training rather than classroom based.”
What have you got out of your experience at the JSR Academy?
“I have learnt to solve problems with the knowledge I have gained. It has also taught me to be confident in what I have learnt and then use it to help others. I have also gained experience and confidence in speaking to new people.”
What have been the highlights of the JSR Academy for you?
“My highlights were looking into the genetics side of the business and seeing how much work goes into the pigs that we work with on the farm. I also really enjoyed working at the AI stud too. The pig industry is so much bigger and more technical than I ever realised.”
How do you feel about what the future holds and your career progression?
“I am really happy with my permanent job at JSR in one of the nurseries. Working in a bigger company means that there could be further opportunities for me in the future. I hope one day to look into the office side of the business and see as many new things as I can to continue to grow my knowledge.”
See our JSR Academy web page for more details on the training scheme we offer.
To apply or to ask any questions please email: genna.kerry@jsr.co.uk
Read about what’s involved in the scheme in our recent news article.