Teaming up to learn about equine employer needs

Lantra staff recently accompanied Danny Logue from Skills Development Scotland on a tour visiting employers across Scotland to see first-hand the skills issues facing both employers and employees in the sector.

Willie Fergusson, Lantra’s Director for Scotland said: “Skills Development Scotland work with Lantra on many different levels, and are the main sponsor of Lantra’s Land-based Learner of the Year Awards. Danny presented this year’s awards on behalf of SDS. Through Danny’s involvement with this event he expressed an interest in learning more about the sector and the people working in it, so we arranged for Danny to meet with a range of employers across Scotland.” Easterton Stables in Mugdock, Milngavie incorporates Easterton Livery and Easterton Equestrian. Employing four full time staff and four trainees, Rosemary Brown had the opportunity to highlight some of the challenges faced by her employees. Rosemary said: “During Danny’s visit to the stables we had the opportunity to discuss qualifications on a range of levels, including the cross over of qualifications as one of my employees is from Bulgaria”. Rosemary continued: “Danny also had the opportunity to meet with a number of school children who experience barriers to learning; he was amazed to learn about the difference that horse riding has made to these kids, allowing us to highlight the progress that can be achieved within the equine industry with support from government initiatives.” Danny Logue, Skills Development Scotland said: “This was an excellent opportunity to provide first-hand insight into the range and level of skills required across this sector. It also provided a huge amount of information regarding the range of careers and opportunities that are available. It is important that we provide our staff in Skills Development Scotland with this knowledge of the available careers, as well as the demands from the industry for Modern Apprenticeships. We will continue to support and work with Lantra in taking forward key areas of joint development”. ENDS ISSUED BY: Lantra Press Office – Paula Smyth, Tel: 028 79631304/ Email ni.media@lantra.co.uk EDITOR’S NOTES: • Lantra, the Sector Skills Council for the environmental and land-based sector, is licensed by the UK Government to drive forward the new skills, training and business development agenda for the sector. • Lantra represents 17 industries and 1.5 million workers and volunteers in agricultural crops, agricultural livestock, animal care, animal technology, aquaculture, environmental conservation, equine, farriery, fencing, fisheries management, floristry, game and wildlife management, land-based engineering, landscape, production horticulture, trees and timber and veterinary nursing. For more information see www.lantra.co.uk

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