Arrival

If you are likely to be late, you should advise the farmer of your expected arrival date. If your anticipated arrival date is less than one week later than the date stated, your employer will appreciate knowing this information in advance and can plan accordingly. If you have been unavoidably delayed for more than two weeks you should ensure that your Agent notifies Concordia of this as it may be necessary to replace you at the farm with another person. If this happens Concordia would look for another placement for you with a later start date. However, alternative employment is not possible without prior knowledge of the expected arrival date and in those circumstances you may have to return home. Similarly, you should not arrive at the farm too early. Accommodation is prepared in readiness for the start date stated and may not be ready. Alternatively, people from a previous work period may still be using the accommodation and there may be no spare beds.

On arrival in the UK you must follow the travel instructions you have been given. If the farmer asks you to arrive between particular hours and you arrive later, do not expect your employer to collect you from the bus station. Most farmers begin work early each day and therefore go to bed early and you should be aware that some farms will not accept students outside specified hours. You will have to wait until the following day before contacting the farm. In these circumstances, you must ensure you have enough money to pay for overnight accommodation.

You must be prepared to work well and consistently as required by your employer. We are not offering a cheap holiday; the placement you have accepted is meant as a serious work experience and if you are not prepared to work hard you should not come. At first, you will find the work hard but if you listen carefully during your training period, you should be able to pick effectively within two weeks. After this time, as you become used to the work, your skills will improve, you will be more efficient and your wages will reflect this. Do NOT expect all this to happen within the first week!