£500,000 for Farmers, Foresters and Growers through LandSkills SE

7/12/2011 6:26 AM EST

For immediate release

More than half a million pounds has been allocated to help the South East’s farmers, foresters and growers get the training they need to boost their business’ profitability.

From 1 August 2011 until 31 March 2012, £527,000 is available to businesses in this region to get up to 70% off training. Through the end of May 2011, this programme has provided funded training for 2,600 courses to over 12,500 learners. The courses cover many topics including:

• Improving work practices and resource management
• Technical skills
• Complying with new legislation, including nutrient management
• Managing woodlands for fuel and economic benefit
• Leadership, business and financial management
• Primary processing in the agricultural and forestry industries
• Resource use, including waste reduction and management, water use, energy efficiency and bio-energy.

There are a very wide range of courses eligible under LandSkills SE from BASIS to Fresh Start Academy and Hard/Soft Cheese Making to Livestock Transport. Ten training providers are approved to deliver the diverse list of eligible courses.

Shelley Newton, LandSkills SE Programme Manager, said: “This programme has proved highly successful in skilling the farmers and foresters of the South East, so it is wonderful news that the funding programme has been extended until the end of March 2012.”

Shelley continued: “The half million has already been allocated to this region’s land-based businesses, now it is up to you to come forward and make sure you take advantage of this opportunity, and help your business become more successful and ride out the economic uncertainties. Get in touch now as the funding ends on 31 March 2011.”

Lantra manages LandSkills South East on behalf of regional development agency SEEDA as part of Rural Development Programme for England (RDPE). The RDPE 2007-13 is jointly funded by the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development and Defra.

For more information about LandSkills SE, to contact one of the training providers or to view a list of eligible courses, visit www.lantra.co.uk/LandSkills-SE or call the LandSkills helpline on 0845 2788 800. Follow LandSkills on Twitter at www.twitter.com/RDPELandSkills.


ENDS

ISSUED BY
Lantra Press Office
Samuel Zelmer-Jackson, PR Co-ordinator
Tel: 02476 858 418 or email  

CREDIT FOR PHOTO
If applicable

NOTES TO EDITOR

About LandSkills South East

Please note: LandSkills South East is NOT available to landscapers or arborists
To get your hands on the money you need to be based in Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, East Sussex, Hampshire, Isle of Wight, Kent, Oxfordshire, Surrey or West Sussex as a:
• Farmer or grower
• Forestry business owner or contractor
• Agricultural contractor
• Farm or forestry employee (including a migrant worker)
• Farm business owner that has diversified into rural tourism
You must run, own or work in a business that spends at least 50% of its time in, or is dependent upon, agriculture, woodland, forestry, production horticulture or rural tourism.
Training Providers approved to deliver LandSkills SE:
• Concorida
• ESUS
• Growtrain
• Harpshire Training Providers
• Laurence Gould
• Mid Kent Training
• Plumpton College
• Smithsgore
• Vale Training
• West Berks and Oxon Training


About Lantra

• Lantra is the Sector Skills Council for land-based and environmental industries, working to ensure these businesses access the training, qualifications, skills and knowledge they need.
• Lantra represents 17 industries: agricultural livestock and crops; animal care; animal technology; aquaculture; environmental conservation; equine; farriery; fencing; fisheries management; floristry; game and wildlife management; land-based engineering; horticulture, landscaping and sports turf; production horticulture; trees and timber and veterinary activities.
• By working together with the sector, Lantra leads research on skills issues and business needs, sets national standards and develops qualifications to meet modern business needs and help businesses grow through skills.
• For more information see www.lantra.co.uk.