Digital Subscription Login

About the role

AG Recruitment provides bespoke training for seasonal farm workers preparing for placements on UK farms. The company emphasizes thorough preparation, physical readiness, and realistic expectations to ensure candidates are fully equipped for the demands of agricultural work.

Interview and selection process

• Candidates participate in a two-hour group interview that assesses determination, motivation, dexterity, teamwork, ability to learn quickly, and drive to succeed.
• Practical tests include a "money race" using fake strawberry plants to evaluate picking speed and technique.
• Additional specialist tests, developed by AG director Dough Amesz, determine suitability for the job.
• Candidates receive a presentation on living arrangements, working conditions, harsh weather, and long hours—with no sugarcoating.
• Only 35–45% of applicants progress to the second phase (training), reflecting the high-quality standards AG seeks.

Training and preparation

• AG ensures at least 6 hours of contact time with each candidate before work begins, building trust often missing in seasonal worker schemes.
• Training is tailored to the specific jobs and growers' requirements—a service unique to AG Recruitment.
• The office in Bucharest offers simulated experiences replicating a UK farm environment to prepare candidates for both the physical nature of the work and the transition.

Welfare and support

• AG conducts farm inspections and maintains ongoing contact with all workers through a support network.
• Worker welfare and happiness are prioritised, with living conditions regularly checked.

Recruitment reach

• AG travels to various cities across Romania and Bulgaria with portable equipment, reducing travel costs for applicants outside the capital.
• This approach expands recruitment and allows more workers to be brought to UK farms.