CAREERS
BPCA attended AgriFest 2026 at the Norfolk Showground to introduce visitors to careers in pest management. The event welcomed 1,951 people, including 1,261 aged 16 to 24.
Our sector needs people to consider pest management as a career. By attending careers fairs, we can reach people who might never search for a pest management job. It’s a chance to raise the sector’s profile, challenge assumptions and start conversations that could lead to future recruits for member businesses.
We joined more than 65 employers and providers at AgriFest, talking to visitors about joining our sector alongside organisations representing agriculture, food production and the wider supply chain.
The Department for Work and Pensions described the event as Norfolk’s first Youth Guarantee Jobs Fair, bringing career opportunities and employment support to people from rural communities.
Visitors travelled from across the region, including Diss, Ipswich and King’s Lynn. For us, it was an opportunity to put pest management among the options people could consider when planning their next step.
More than a stand and a leaflet
AgriFest combined conversations with employers with opportunities to try activities including virtual reality welding, HGV training and building a water irrigation network.
An employability zone also offered advice on finding vacancies, completing applications and preparing for interviews. Visitors could explore different careers and get practical help with moving towards employment.
John Horsley, BPCA Training and Professional Development Officer who attended for BPCA, said:
People can’t choose a career they don’t know about. Events like AgriFest give us a chance to introduce pest management, answer questions and help people consider whether our sector could be for them.
John Horsley, BPCA Training and Professional Development Officer
“For BPCA, it’s about raising awareness of the work our members do and encouraging people to see pest management as a career option.”
Help us reach future recruits
Our members can bring these conversations to life by sharing their own experiences of working in pest management.
If you’re going to a jobs fair to champion the sector and want support, get in touch with us. We can help you take that conversation to people considering their next career move.
Contact [email protected]
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