From education to employment

New agriculture Apprenticeship draws industry interest

The newly introduced Level Two Modern Apprenticeship in Agriculture is attracting growing great interest from industry heads and employees alike.

Members of the agricultural industry and government ministers have been provided with information about the new qualification by Lantra, the Sector Skills Council for the environmental and land based sector.

They were given samples of the new workbooks to allow them to gain a better understanding of the course content.

“Response to this news has been really good, a number of minsters visited Lantra’s stand during the Royal Highland Show where they learnt more about the qualification, and there has been a great deal of interest expressed by industry and employees alike,” said Lantra spokeswoman Paula Smyth.

Willie Ferguson, Lantra’s national director for Scotland, said “The introduction of this new qualification will provide more work-based learning, which will be supported by an approved college or private training provider.”

“Research highlighted a high demand for a Level 2 Modern Apprenticeship in Agriculture, and the announcement that this qualification is now available has been widely welcomed by the agricultural industry.”

The new Level 2 Modern Apprenticeship in Agriculture was created after liaisons between the Nation Farmers’ Union, farmers, employers, colleges and training providers across Scotland.

President of the NFU Scotland, Jim McLaren, said: “We believe that the new Apprenticeship offers a great opportunity for anyone wanting to start working in the industry; it provides the opportunity to learn and earn at the same time.”

The new qualification has combined learning and qualifications with practical work experience gained through working in the sector.

Mr McLaren added: “This Apprenticeship allows agriculture to compete with other employers in order to attract new entrants into our industry.”

Mark Astley
 
(Pictured L-R: Apprentice Grant Pirie with Alan Bowie, Vice President, National Farmers Union)
 


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