Enabling future pork production through sustainable and innovative learning practices- can immersive learning fast track the adoption of farm management strategies in loose lacation systems?

Loose housing of lactating sows will be implemented in Europe in the future, with very limited knowledge on how to train stockpeople to work in these systems. These proposed changes to housing will require a shift in the way in which stockpeople work on the farms, since such a change will demand a different skill set and may also pose a significantly greater risk to their safety. Additionally, language and learning challenges already exist in the industry since many stockpeople are sourced from other countries due to domestic labour shortages. These considerations already challenge the implementation of knowledge and recommended animal husbandry strategies, which will be intensified with the implementation of a new housing system whereby the management of animals is crucial for success.

It is therefore aimed that a training environment will be developed, implemented and evaluated, for the vocational education of stockpeople learning to work within these new systems during the transition of their workplace. EDR has been selected to develop the learning environment, since the principles offer both the theoretical insight and practical solution to an industry learning challenge. Knowledge will be gathered from farms that have already implemented these systems, to learn from and validate their experiences for the co creation of the learning environment.

My supervision team consists of dr. Renate Wesselink (promotor), prof.dr. Perry den Brok (co-promotor) and dr. Vivi Aarestrup Moustsen (co-promotor).

Contact information PhD Candidate Ashley Norval: ashley.norval@wur.nl