Bringing Animal-Related Apprenticeships into Focus

Setting Superior Standards for the Trees and Timber Industry

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.

SCHOOLS OUT, WHAT NEXT?

The revision is over; the exams have been sat and now comes the agonising wait for results. For millions of GCSE and A level students the next few weeks will be highly stressful, with results determining whether they will continue in education, head off to work or even combine both.For students who have achieved their anticipated results the next number of weeks will be spent preparing for the next stage in their life. For some this will be university, for others it may be continuing education, seeking employment or training. Lantra Sector Skills Council works to highlight the variety of

Lantra database aids Foundation learning agenda

Following trials in UK colleges a National Student Database is being adopted by lecturers to help complete the new Foundation Learning Tier it was announced today. In the coming academic year all colleges are expected to deliver the Foundation Learning Tier which aims to prepare 14 to 19-year-olds for further study or the world of work. Testing has shown Lantra’s online National Student Database helps students record and present their skills for qualifications in areas such as employability and interpersonal skills. Lantra’s Rob Lloyd-Jones explains: “The National Student Database maps the

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

A passion for golf ....ever considered a career as a greenkeeper?

Northern Ireland has played host to some of the top golf tournaments, both at professional and amateur level.While a small country, Northern Ireland is a big player in the world of golf and has attracted attention worldwide. Not only do we have world class professional golfers in Darren Clarke and Graeme McDowell, but the northern region of Ireland has the two top-ranked golf courses in Ireland, Royal Co Down and Royal Portrush. Lantra, the Sector Skills Council for environmental and land-based industries represents the horticulture, landscaping and sports turf industry, and helps ensure

A passion for golf ….ever considered a career as a greenkeeper?

St Andrews Links is internationally recognised the world over as the ‘Home of Golf’. The most renown golfing landscape in the world, it’s the place where the game began and has been developed and nurtured for over six centuries.The Open Championship is scheduled to take place on the Old Course, St Andrews Links from Thursday 15th to Sunday 18th July 2010 at which the world's greatest golfers will battle for the famous Claret Jug. It will also see the famous 17th ‘Road Hole’, possibly the most famous hole in golf, lengthened for the first time in over 100 years. Lantra, the Sector Skills

BUSINESSES ENCOURAGED TO SIGN UP TO VOCATIONAL QUALIFICATIONS

Lantra, the Sector Skills Council for environmental and land-based industries, encourages businesses to invest in the skills of their staff in line with National VQ Day (23 June 2010).In today’s economic climate, training is more important than ever and research shows that businesses with trained staff are in a strong position. With 96% of environmental and land-based businesses employing fewer than 10 staff, vocational training is a great way for individuals to develop skills and gain nationally recognised qualifications. Vocational qualifications in the sector are undergoing a significant