Land-based businesses must train for NI's economic recovery

5/16/2011 7:22 AM EST

Valerie Owen OBE, Lantra’s Chair, launched the research report during a gathering of key figures from government, education and industry. The report entitled ‘The Skills Assessment for Northern Ireland’ identifies that businesses must recruit almost 21,000 new land-based and environmental entrants at all qualification levels over the next decade just to maintain current workforce levels. In addition, the estimated 30,000 Northern Ireland businesses and 60,000 employees must develop their skills through continual professional development in order to thrive in a competitive market.

David Seffen, Lantra Partnership Manager said: “Lantra’s Skills Assessment analyses current and future skills needs, shows how job roles are changing, identifies the new skills that will be required and examines major shifts in employment. It is an essential tool for policy makers and researchers responsible for developing evidence-based policy about skills and our sector.”

Campbell Tweed OBE, Chair of Lantra’s NI Council said: “The land-based and environmental sector touches all our lives, wherever we live. The sector feeds our nation and is indispensable for our current and future economic prosperity. Land-based and environmental businesses safeguard Northern Ireland’s natural environment and heritage and are in the front line in the drive for food security, sustainable development, renewable energy, adapting to climate change, reducing greenhouse gases, growing the rural economy and supporting healthy active living through our parks and green spaces. There will be opportunities over the next decade for new entrants and those already working in the sector, but in order to truly thrive, the entire industry must constantly hone their skills and manage successful, profitable businesses.”

He continued: “The evening dinner event, held during the Balmoral Show, provided an excellent opportunity for those attending to discuss these issues and many others that industry is facing today.”

Lantra’s full report is available to download at www.lantra.co.uk/research. To find out about careers in the land-based and environmental industries visit www.lantra.co.uk/careers. For more information on Lantra’s work, visit www.lantra.co.uk.

ENDS

ISSUED BY:
Lantra Press Office
Contact: Paula Smyth, Sales and Marketing Executive
Tel: 028 7963 1304 or email  

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About the Skills Assessment
• The Skills Assessment report sets out the skills gaps of the current workforce and identifies the projected skills needs until 2020.
• Each year, it provides vital information on the sector so government, employers, individuals and everyone else are able to make the right investments in skills to thrive and grow.
• This annual report brings together research from Wales and the United Kingdom on all the industries in the land-based and environmental sector. Farming is the largest industry representing around 40% of the sector by employment, but the Assessment also covers areas such as landscaping, horticulture, land-based engineering, animal welfare and a further 11 industries.

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.