A TEENAGER from Thirsk has become one of Sainsbury's first farming apprentices.

Kyle Merry, 17, is one of seven youngsters to join the supermarket's new agricultural apprenticeship scheme which aims to help create a new generation of farmers.

They are attending their first academic classes at Aston, near Birmingham, having already spent two weeks at farms across the UK where they will be employed as they learn for the next 20 months.

Kyle found out about the new apprenticeship when his father spotted the advert online.

"I did the first year of A-levels then realised it wasn’t for me at the time," said Kyle, "This hands-on learning is perfect and the one thing I knew for certain was that I wanted to work outdoors but doing something that kept my mind busy."

He is doing his apprenticeship locally with Yorkshire Farmhouse Eggs and intends to keep on working with chickens.

"I’ve looked into other aspects of farming but I think it’s just easier with chickens!" said Kyle.

"I am enjoying learning this way and when I am finished I hope I will be able to go on to levels 3 and 4 of the apprenticeships and maybe finally do a degree."

It is estimated that the UK farming industry will need 60,000 new employees by 2020 just to replace retiring farmers.

Sainsbury’s is the first retailer to launch an apprenticeship scheme for horticulture and agriculture and is giving youngsters aged 16 and over the chance to work with some of its most progressive food suppliers, many of whom use the latest innovations and technology.

They will learn how to manage digital infrastructure of glasshouse computer systems and how to manage crop growth through the use of drones and smart phone apps.

Every 12 weeks, the apprentices will visit other farms taking part in the scheme to learn about different types of farming.

The recruits also attended a blogging masterclass by AgriChat’s Simon Haley, who runs the biggest blogging farming community, bringing farmers together from around the world to share best practice and ideas.

During their apprenticeship, they will write a blog about their farming experiences which will be published on the Sainsbury’s website.

Sainsbury’s have joined forces with Staffline Agriculture to offer a range of apprenticeship schemes. See Farm.Apprenticeships@sainsburys.co.uk or the National Apprenticeship site at apprentices.gov.uk.