Education

Conventional Concept Orchards- OrchardWorld has financially supported the planting of three intensive orchards. Two are in Kent,one for apples and one for pears, whilst the one in South Africa is solely an apple orchard. In addition Norton Folgate has a cherry concept orchard in Hampshire. All are used as teaching resources to show growers how greater yields of fruit can be achieved while allowing the reduction of residues, carbon emissions and the use of pesticides. There is also an organic apple concept orchard in Kent.

For more information on the Concept Orchards project please click here

Training & Development- Poupart is totally committed to training staff at all levels of seniority. In 2010 the company initiated a continuous programme of improvement from Board level, Senior Executive and Line Manager to the remaining personnel. In addition a Graduate and Management Trainee scheme is run across the company. Each year between two and six trainees are recruited who gain experience in certain areas of the business complete with internal mentoring. In addition there is available a programme of ad hoc skill based training for all employees (e.g. foreign languages, Excel, negotiation etc). Performance management is carried out half yearly and year end to identify areas of weakness and development.

Health & Safety- Training covering manual handling, first aid and fire marshal requirements is in place. A specialist H&S advisor to the Argent group is employed and there are H&S representatives within each company that have regular H&S meetings to cover all areas. Incident and accident reports are compiled if any of aforementioned occurs and regular risk assessments and spot checks are carried out where appropriate. For employees there is an eye test policy, VDU assessments and for senior staff BUPA healthcare plans.

Grower Groups & Knowledge Transfer - Poupart has set up Grower Groups for soft fruit and top fruit which offer the opportunity for knowledge transfer between growers. Led by agronomists employed by Poupart the Groups cover areas such as planting, pruning, thinning, nutrition, crop protection and soil management.

'Mid-day Matters' - A series of 'well-being' initiatives are being rolled our across the group. These consist of lunchtime talks held at offices in Turnford, Colchester and Canterbury, with colleagues being invited to listen to experts discuss issues related to personal matters. The first of these talks, which have been branded 'Mid-day Matters', will focus on health and nutrition.