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Skills Review Points Way Forward for Land-Based Sector
The publication of a major review of skills and training in land-based industries has signposted some of the structural changes necessary to deliver greater competitiveness in the sector.
The Land-Based and Environmental Sector Review for the West Midlands, published by the Learning and Skills Council in partnership with Sector Skills Council Lantra, reveals that around 7,700 new entrants will be needed in the next six years to replace those retiring or leaving the sector.
Net employment is due to fall by 20 per cent – but the challenge to identify suitable new recruits and equip them with the right skills will be sharper than ever. Twenty-three per cent of agricultural workers have no qualifications – more than double the proportion of the regional workforce as a whole.
Barbara Murphy, West Midlands LSC regional skills development manager for land-based industries, said: “This report comes at a critical time for land-based industries and provides a very clear picture of the challenges ahead.
“I’m pleased that recent changes to Train to Gain which broaden the offer to include owner-managers and volunteers mean that it will be of more benefit to the high number of small businesses in this sector.
“In a difficult economic situation, I’m hoping that many more organisations will take advantage of not only the skills support and advice but also the funding available through Train to Gain.”
National Farmers Union regional director David Collier said: “The research and analysis contained in this report represents a serious effort to look at an employer-led approach to assessing the need for training provision in the West Midlands.
“As such, it will help us ensure we have the skills that we need in the land-based sector in the coming years.”
The report proposes that agencies, employers and training providers work closely together to improve learning provision and participation, in particular by:
· continuing to work with careers guidance organisations to better signpost career opportunities in the land-based sector;
· continuing to develop flexible qualifications for Level 2 (GCSE equivalent) and above that are responsive to new developments in the sector;
· working with partners to identify additional strategies to recruit from a wider range of demographic groups in particular women, people of minority ethnic background and long-term migrant workers.
There are an estimated 76,000 people employed in land-based businesses in the West Midlands. Agriculture accounts for 31,000 of those and no fewer than two thirds are sole proprietor businesses with no further employees.
In 2006/7, LSC-funded provision in land-based sector relevant qualifications was over £14 million in the West Midlands. There were nearly 7,000 enrolments in total, of which more than 5,000 were in further education and the remainder were work-based. In recent years, college enrolments have fallen by around 600 a year while work-based learning has remained steady.
