News Article

The skills needs of North East sheep farmers and contractors are to be addressed by the British Wool Marketing Board (BWMB) and LandSkills North East through a wide range of funded sheep production training programmes.

LandSkills North East, managed by Lantra on behalf of One North East as part of the Rural Development Programme for England, is providing up to 70% funding for people involved in sheep production.  Farmers, contractors and the self employed across the region are eligible to access NPTC accredited BWMB training including sheep shearing, crutching, gear maintenance and sharpening, hedging and walling, lambing, sheep dip certification and environmental aspects.

BWMB National Shearing Training Manager, Colin MacGregor, said: “BWMB has had many farmers requesting specific training and we were keen to offer affordable and flexible activities to meet their skills needs.  LandSkills North East has helped us meet the needs of industry by providing the funding required so we can start delivering the training requested throughout 2010.”

In order to minimise cost and maximise output, trainees will be supported throughout their skills development at a time and venue that is suitable for them.  Colin continued:  “The funding offered by LandSkills means that we can support farmers through mentoring and discussion groups as well as providing a training needs analysis to fine tune and update their training needs.”

To date the £1.2m LandSkills North East project has funded high-level technical training such as sheep nutrition and DIY artificial insemination and supported discussion groups, demonstration sites and study tours to over 1,200 farmers in the region.

LandSkills North East Project Manager, Peter Nailon, added:  “Training programmes such as those offered by BWMB show that LandSkills is a demand-led project and will fund the activities industry requires to help them develop the skills needed to carry out their roles effectively.  All eligible farmers and foresters in the North East can take advantage of this demand-led project and if we are currently not delivering something you feel is vital to your development then contact LandSkills now.” 

 To register your interest call Gillian Tart at the British Wool Marketing Board on 01274 688666 or to find out more about LandSkills North East visit www.lantra.co.uk/LandSkillsNorthEast.

ENDS                                                                                                               

Issued by: Lantra Press Office, Vicky Brewin – contact england.media@lantra.co.uk or call 02476 858 417.