16.03.05
Increasing Numbers of Farmers Take Up Training

An increasing number of farmers and people involved in land based industries throughout the South West are turning to training to help give them the competitive edge and improve their livelihoods.

The Vocational Training Scheme (VTS) has operated throughout Cornwall for the past four years and last year was rolled out across the South West as part of the SWELBEC land based colleges working collectively initiative.

VTS in Cornwall has exceeded its contractual targets for delivering training for the second year running by 30% this year and reports that demand for access to training in this sector is growing.

VTS is part of a national scheme supported by Objective One, EAGGF, ERDP and Defra that provides investment of up to 75% of eligible costs for vocational training activities that contribute to an improvement in the occupational skill and competence of farmers and people involved in forestry and other land based activities.

Last year VTS funded 5,571 individuals who accessed on average a day's training each in 446 training courses. VTS Project Manager Cameron Tonkin comments "Demand for training is continuing to grow; we have averaged a 20% growth rate for the past two years. This tells us that farmers and people working in the land base sector have really taken on board messages sent out by the industry, that they cannot afford to rely on basic skills learnt and that they must commit to developing their skills to maintain their livelihoods."

VTS supports training which aims to improve the quality or scope of production in an environmentally sensitive manner, improve skills and competitiveness and strengthen the rural economy. Funds are available to individuals and third parties who want to organise training activities.

Three industry led initiatives that have attracted investment from VTS include the West Country Arable Initiative, which has benefited over 300 Cornish arable farmers, the South West Horticultural Initiative, which has provided a number of seminars for Nurserymen in the South West and the Guild of Cornish Hedgers.

The Guild of Cornish Hedgers has created much interest in people wishing to learn more about this very traditional skill. VTS have been funding delegates who wish to undertake a Cornish Hedging Course at the newly formed Rural Craft Training Centre set up near Camelford by Richard and Celia Boden Cummins.

Cameron Tonkin explains "We have been funding a two day taster course Caring for Cornish Hedges and we are planning to fund more advanced courses for people looking to take up the craft professionally."

For further information please contact Vocational Training Scheme on 01579 372289.

Editor's notes:

VTS is an Objective One, EAGGF, ERDP and Defra training, development and extension programme designed to provide support and delivery to farmers, rural business and land based managers across Cornwall, Devon, Somerset, Dorset, Avon, Wiltshire and Gloucestershire.

For further information: please contact Carolyn Daw on 01822 833 488 or Cameron Tonkin on 01579 372288.

Clare Morgan
Media Relations Manager
Objective One Partnership Office
Castle House
Pydar Street
Truro TR1 2UD
Mobile: 07973 813647
Telephone: 01872 223439

cmorgan@cornwall.gov.uk

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