97% Agree LandSkills Funded Training is Beneficial for Business

6/24/2011 6:15 AM EST

For immediate release

Yorkshire and Humber’s farmer, foresters and growers are pleased with the quality of training delivered through Lantra’s LandSkills Yorkshire and Humber, according to a recent survey of beneficiaries.

When asked about the programme’s value, the group of 100 who were interviewed were nearly unanimous, with 96.8% agreeing that their individual training events were very beneficial to their businesses. In addition, 96.6% commented that the content of the tailored funded training was very good/good.

When asked how LandSkills YH funded training impacted their business, nearly a quarter stated it fostered more efficient working practices and nearly 20% believed it improved their business performance. Other participants thought it improved their farm management, reduced business costs and increased the profitability of their business.

Julie Hamilton, LandSkills YH programme Manager, said: “This programme has gone from strength to strength, and the outcome of this survey is really encouraging, as it shows the business benefits of updating your skills and knowledge There have been so many positive outcomes resulting from LandSkills YH, and I am pleased we can continue to fund delivery for the rest of this year.”

Through LandSkills YH, £2.14m has been invested over the first three years into the skills development of the region’s farmers, foresters and growers. Over the past three years the programme has delivered 11,500 training days with 5469 new participants benefiting from the completed training.

David Hugill, Chair of the LandSkills Industry Advisory Board, said: “This survey helps outline the positive impact of LandSkills on the region. As this programme is intended to support the professional farmer and grower, it is encouraging to hear that the vast majority find it valuable.”

Managed by Lantra Sector Skills Council on behalf of Yorkshire Forward and as a part of the Rural Development Programme for England, LandSkills provides funding to help improve skills business profitability by providing up to 70% towards training costs.

Julie continued: “We have a full programme of events planned for the coming season, so I would encourage all book places now to access their share of the LandSkills funding.

Find out more or to find out if you are eligible, visit www.lantra.co.uk/LandSkills-YH. For more information on Lantra please visit www.lantra.co.uk.

ENDS

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

Follow Lantra on Twitter at www.twitter.com/LantraSSC


NOTES TO EDITOR

About LandSkills Yorkshire and Humber

• Eligibility criteria apply, and to receive funding beneficiaries must be a farmer or grower, forestry business owner or contractor, agricultural contractor, farm or forestry employee or a young person entering farming or forestry.
• You can get funded training for:
• Improving work practices and resource management
• Complying with new legislation including animal health and welfare and nutrient management
• Managing woodlands for fuel and economic benefit
• Leadership, business and financial management.
• LandSkills Yorkshire and Humber, managed by Lantra Sector Skills Council on behalf of Yorkshire Forward, is part of the Rural Development Programme for England (RDPE) which is funded by Defra and the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development.



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.
• An independent UK organisation, Lantra works with employers and the UK’s governments to address the skills and productivity needs of approximately 230,000 businesses (one in every ten UK businesses) in: agriculture; animal care; animal technology; aquaculture; environmental conservation; equine; farriery; fencing; fisheries management; floristry; game and wildlife management; land-based engineering; horticulture, landscape 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.