LandSkills East may have the solution. This new programme of demand-led training is funded by Defra and the EU to upgrade skills across the agricultural and land-based sectors. Training is at vocational or managerial level. The training sectors are chaired by leading figures in the agricultural and land-based industries: Gary Stokes, Ashlyns Organics (Essex), Andrew Charlton, Hedleypoplar Ltd (Norfolk), Guy Smith, Wigboro Wick Farm (Essex), Jonathan Barber, Crogham Farm (Norfolk), and Philip Bradshaw, Flegcroft Farm (Cambridgeshire).
Director, Mike Mack, explains the rationale for the training programmes: “The needs of the land-based sector are ever-changing. Challenges for tomorrow’s farmers will be exciting and exacting. LandSkills East will help provide the mix of skills to enable the sector to meet these demands.” The philosophy is that land-based industry needs to be flexible and quick to adapt in order to be profitable. LandSkills East is based at the Rural Enterprise Hub, Easton College, Norfolk. Training takes place at different venues across the East of England.
Who provides the training?
Thirty five organisations and companies will provide training, including Bidwells, Poultec, Cranfield School of Management, the University of East Anglia, ADAS and Smith Gore. Find out about the opportunities from LandSkills East website:
www.landskillseast.co.uk, by email:
landskills@easton-college.ac.uk, or by telephone 01603 748844.
The first training course involved eight members of the Farming and Business Forum set up for and with young people from rural areas of Norfolk aged between 20-35 years. They travelled to southern Spain to see food production with value-added activities such as on-site processing and packing. The course also focussed on the effects of climate change, irrigation methods, dual cropping and water resources.
One of the participants, Sam Steggles, a poultry equipment salesman, found the trip interesting and well organised: “It really opened my eyes to the opportunities for adding value. We visited one potato farm that has its own crisping line to produce chips and crisps for PapaKing, a well known Spanish brand. Particularly interesting was our visit to the AMC juicing farm where the fruit is grown, juiced and packaged on the farm, using plastic bottles produced on site. This has to be the way forward.”
Who benefits?
Anyone involved in, or wishing to enter land based industries can apply to undertake a funded programme. LandSkills East provides a mentor and follow-up advice on future training.
Want to know more?
Visit our website: www.landskillseast.co.uk or talk to one of our team at the Cereals Show (Stand 1003) or the Royal Norfolk Show (Stand 255). Andy, Elaine, Sue or Duncan will be happy to advise you.
LandSkills East - a pioneering new skills training programmeHave you ever wondered where to access training for a particular skill?
