WOMEN TAKING ON ONE OF BRITAIN’S MOST DANGEROUS CAREERS

PR1508 23 March 2011

Ten women working in Cornwall and Devon were recently recognised (22 March) for their training and dedication to health and safety in agriculture, one of the most dangerous careers in Britain. The health and safety training, delivered by Safety Cornwall and funded through Lantra’s Women and Work programme, explored the development of safety policies, safety management systems, procedures, risks assessments and safe systems of work for farms. Additional one-to-one training and mentoring also took place plus specific safety management training courses. Tina Boydell, Operations and Business Development Manager for Safety Cornwall said, “Safety Cornwall is dedicated to training today’s workforce and providing them the skills to be successful through safe working practices. Agricultural safety is becoming an important issue, as recently highlighted in the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) campaign Make the Promise: Come Home Safe. I’m pleased that Safety Cornwall was able to help these participants make a positive difference on their farms.” Laura Biddick-Bray, Lantra’s Agriculture Manager said, “This year is the 100th anniversary of International Women’s Day, so women around the world are being recognised for their contributions to society. These ten women exemplify this spirit, and I think it is great that they are so dedicated to safety on the region’s farms, nurturing Britain with top quality food.” At the ceremony, Jeremy Best, NFU Cornwall County Chairman, delivered a speech on the importance of women in farming, while Rob Pearce, HSE Principal Inspector, discussed the importance of training to reduce serious accidents on farms. Rob said, “Women do have an increasingly important and key role to play in the management of farm work activities, which has been clearly demonstrated by this project to very good effect. Health and safety need not be a negative obstacle for employers but instead, it ensures that high-risk industries such as agriculture can work safely and therefore much more efficiently.” Programme participant, Julie Rickeard from Fentongollan Farm said, “Our farm has many different sectors such as sheep, module plants and arable. The training has been invaluable in helping me understand the legalities associated with these different aspects and given me the confidence to handle staff appropriately especially those who are rather set in their ways!” Manager at Boscawen Farm, Debbie Evans, who also participated in the programme said, “Boscawen Farm is run as a care farm working for people with learning disabilities. Safety is paramount to the success and efficient running of our facility. The training we received through Safety Cornwall has enabled us to expand the range of activities that we offer as opposed to the restrictive image that is so often associated with health and safety.” The Women and Work programme, which finished this month, offered a training grant of up to £450 to women working in male dominated industries in England. Since 2006, the Women and Work programme has worked with over 850 companies to support 3,000 women develop their skills and progress their careers in industries where the men outnumber the girls. To learn more about Safety Cornwall or about health and safety training, visit www.safetycornwall.co.uk. To learn more about Lantra, the Women and Work programme or skills development, visit www.lantra.co.uk/women-and-work. Follow Lantra on Twitter at www.twitter.com/LantraSSC. ENDS ISSUED BY Lantra Press Office Samuel Zelmer-Jackson, PR Co-ordinator Tel: 02476 858 418 or email media@lantra.co.uk Follow Lantra on Twitter at www.twitter.com/LantraSSC PHOTOGRAPHY (Left to right) Steph Bailey (Trewarthenick Farm); Laura Biddick Bray (Helscott Farm); Sue Killford (New Generation Daffodils); Debbie Evans ( Boscawen Farm); Julie Rickeard (Fentongollan Farm) NOTES TO EDITOR FULL LIST OF PARTICIPANTS Bray & Son East Helscott Farm Laura Biddick-Bray Fentongollan Farm Julie Rickeard New Generation Daffodils Sue Kilford Trewarthenick Farm Steph Bailey Robert Owen Communities (ROC) Boscawen Farm Debbie Evans Robert Owen Communities (ROC) Wendy Wilkinson JA & CJ Martin Rebecca Martin EW Button & Son Jean Button Vincent Tractors Julia Jones G Skinner Charlotte Woodrow About Women and Work • The fourth phase of the Women and Work programme closed in March 2011. This event was held to celebrate the successes of this programme. • The Women and Work: Sector Pathways Initiative is about raising skills and unlocking potential. The project aims to raise recruitment levels in sectors where women are under-represented; increasing earning potential and aiding career progression. The initiative is in response to recommendations by the Women and Work Commission’s report ‘Shaping a Fairer Future’ and receives government funding, matched by employer contributions. • Women and Work funding is available to those working in agriculture, aquaculture, environmental conservation, farriery, fencing, fisheries management, game and wildlife, horticulture, landscaping and sports turf, production horticulture, land-based engineering and trees and timber. • For more information: www.lantra.co.uk/womenandwork/ 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.

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