Bringing Animal-Related Apprenticeships into Focus

Consultation Underway to develop an Apprenticeship for Nursing Assistants in a Veterinary Setting

New Level 2 Intermediate/Foundation Apprenticeship for Nursing Assistants in a Veterinary Setting

PLANTING THE SEEDS OF ECONOMIC RECOVERY

For Immediate Release England’s land-based and environmental businesses must cultivate world-class skills in order to thrive and fully support the nation’s supply of food, fuel and water, according to new research, published today (6 April) by Lantra Sector Skills Council. 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 England’s natural environment and natural heritage and are in the front line in the drive for

INVESTING IN PEOPLE

1 April 2011 For Immediate Release Lantra, the Sector Skills Council supporting land-based industries, announces today, 1 April, that they have been appointed to accredit the Investors in People programme to English businesses operating within the land-based and environmental sector. Investors in People is a business improvement tool which links staff development with increased business profitability and levels of service. Investors in People supports and accredits employers that follow a structured business development programme. Research shows that the Investors in People programme helps

STUDENTS CULTIVATING THE ENVIRONMENT

PR1518 30 March 2011 Young people are urged to explore their interests in understanding and protecting the environment and animals by taking Principal Learning in Environmental and Land-based Studies as part of the Welsh Baccalaureate. Principal Learning in Environmental and Land-based Studies is now available in Wales as an option within the Welch Baccalaureate Qualification (WBO). Students choosing this Principal Learning will get first-hand experience working with animals used for recreation, work, companionship and production. This programme will also focus on developing the sustainable

Inflexible apprenticeships place rural skills agenda at risk

Apprenticeships need to be more flexible if they are to meet the needs of business and hit government targets – Sector Skills Council Lantra reveals during Apprenticeship Week (7-11 February).Lantra is the Sector Skills Council for Land-based and Environmental Industries - representing industry and lobbying Government to support appropriate sector-based training. Its research has highlighted a range of problems with publicly funded Apprenticeship Frameworks. These include insufficient funding for over 19s, a bias toward non-work-based testing, over-stretched colleges and too much red-tape.

Last chance to set the standards for the animal care industry

Lantra Sector Skills Council is alerting animal care managers and professionals that they only have one month to influence the Standards for their industry as their online survey opens on 15 November and closes on 17 December 2010.Lantra launched the UK-wide review this summer to examine the management and technical roles, skills and responsibilities in the animal care industry as part of a Level 4 National Occupational Standards review. The final step in the review is an online survey that will take place from Monday 15 November to Friday 17 December 2010. Lisa Jarvis, Lantra’s Animal Care

Ever considered volunteering?

Looking for something to keep you busy in your spare time or while you search for a job? Lantra is encouraging people to consider volunteering within the environmental and land-based sector.Volunteering means many things to different people, but essentially it’s an opportunity to gain practical work experience through your own commitment and time, to improve your skills, confidence and contacts while helping others. Willie Fergusson, National Director for Scotland said: “For many, volunteering provides an opportunity to road test different types of work in different industries, while making

CYSTADLEUAETH I CHWILIO AM DDYSGWYR DIWYDIANNAU’R TIR GORAU’R WLAD

Mae’r myfyrwyr gorau o blith y rhai sy’n gweithio ar ffermydd, gyda thyfwyr blodau neu filfeddygon neu mewn stablau, parciau neu goetiroedd ar fin cystadlu yng Ngwobrau Dysgwyr Tir Cymraeg y Flwyddyn a drefnir gan Lantra.Mae Lantra, y Cyngor Sgiliau Sector ar gyfer yr amgylchedd a diwydiannau’r tir wedi galw am enwebiadau ar gyfer ei wobrau blynyddol er mwyn cydnabod y rheiny sy’n datblygu eu sgiliau. Yn ôl Kevin Thomas, Cyfarwyddwr Cenedlaethol Cymru Lantra: “Mae’r gwobrau hyn yn rhoi clod i’r ffermydd, y tyfwyr blodau, y milfeddygon, y stablau, y parciau a’r coetiroedd gorau yng Nghymru.

OPENING DOORS TO NEW OPPORTUNITIES

Current economic conditions are tough on businesses everywhere, so to help those working within Wales’ environmental and land-based industries, Lantra Sector Skills Council is throwing open the doors of its Builth Wells office during the Royal Welsh Show (July 19-22).Industry experts, training providers and staff from the Farming Connect Skills Development Programme are working together so that the show’s visitors can easily find out about the training and support that is available to the sector, or ask about the many rewarding environmental and land-based careers, some of which will be

OPENING DOORS TO NEW OPPORTUNITIES

Current economic conditions are tough on businesses everywhere, so to help those working within Wales’ equine and veterinary industries, Lantra Sector Skills Council is throwing open the doors of its Builth Wells office during the Royal Welsh Show (July 19-22).Industry experts, training providers and Welsh Assembly Government representatives are working together so that the show’s visitors can easily find out about the training and support that is available, or ask about the many rewarding environmental and land-based careers. Among those joining Lantra will be Lantra Skills Ambassador and

New opportunities beckon says Lantra’s outgoing Chair

“These are exciting times for the environmental and land-based industries. I sense a real feeling of energy and determination to succeed amongst the increasingly hi-tech and professional micro businesses Lantra represents through skills provision, and here at Lantra we’re making sure we are reflecting that.”The words of Lantra’s Chair Dr Gordon McGlone as he prepares to hand over the reigns of the Sector Skills Council after eight successful years at the helm. His reflective mood continues, “During my time as Chair, I’ve seen our sector develop enormously. Today we see more and more 21st

Taking the reins with equine research

Major research on challenges faced by the equine industry is being undertaken by Lantra, and the expertise and knowledge of Northern Ireland’s professionals is required for the best possible results.As part of UK-wide research, Lantra, the skills council supporting the equine industry will hold a focus group to look at issues such as staff retention, availability of training and progression opportunities for both businesses and employees working with horses. Amy Cosgrove, Lantra’s Equine Manager said: “It’s important that the equine industry has the right skills in this constantly changing

COMMON CHALLENGES UNITE ENGLAND’S INDUSTRY LEADERS

At last week’s inaugural meeting of Lantra’s National Council for England, prominent industry leaders on the new Council united behind the need to work together to meet the challenges facing the environmental and land-based sector.With representatives from ten of the sector’s industries including Simon Johnston, from the RSPCA, Landex and Unite the Union, the strong employer-led group met at Lantra’s head office at Stoneleigh on 12 April to begin shaping the future work of the sector skills council to influence policy and skills development. Top of the agenda were issues affecting all

Professional help for your pets

April is National Pet Month – a time when animal charities, businesses and other organisations arrange fund-raising events and collectively promote the improved welfare of pets. Here in the UK, pet owners are fortunate to have the back up of plenty of highly skilled professional people to assist them all year round thanks in part to Lantra Sector Skills Council.Registered veterinary nurse Lisa Jarvis, who is the animal care expert at Lantra, explains: “Animals deserve the very best of care and as they cannot speak and are reliant on people to have sufficient knowledge to ensure they are