£20million for farm training (From Salisbury Journal)

£20million for farm training

3:28pm Wednesday 29th August 2012 in Rural Focus By Anne Connon

A NEW £20 million scheme to help provide work-based training for rural businesses has been announced by farming minister Jim Paice.

Defra’s Skills and Knowledge Framework (SKF), provided through the Rural Development Programme for England (RDPE), will offer a subsidised vocational training programme to help improve business skills.

There will be training opportunities in business management and computer skills, aiming to improve resource efficiency, develop leadership qualities and improve animal health and welfare.

Businesses will also be able to apply for training to improve traditional rural and farming skills and take new business opportunities in rural tourism.

Mr Paice said: “We’re investing up to £20 million in vocational training to help rural and farming enterprises increase their profits and get more competitive.

“This is the latest in a £165 million package of support to help unlock the economic potential of our rural areas.”

Following a competitive tendering process, successful training providers will be chosen to join the RDPE SKF.

From autumn, eligible businesses will be able to access a whole range of training and development opportunities that will improve both their own skills and those of their employees.

Of the £100 million RDPE funding announced in the Rural Economy Growth Review, Defra has already allocated £20 million to the Farming and Forestry Improvement Scheme.

Defra will soon launch the £60 million Rural Economy Grant scheme to provide grant support of up to £1 million to transform the prospects and profits of agricultural and rural businesses.