Written by John Swire
The Skills Leadership Group (SLG) has welcomed the recommendations from the RSA Food, Farming and Countryside Commission on investing in skills development.
The RSA Food, Farming and Countryside Commission – which was launched in 2017 to think about where our food comes from and how we support farming and rural communities –is calling for a 10-year plan for the food and farming industry.
At the heart of delivering a sustainable future will be a highly skilled workforce, under the leadership and guidance of the SLG; a new industry-wide skills strategy is in development.
Skills Leadership Group Chairman, Helen Woolley, said: “The SLG would welcome the opportunity to work with the Food, Farming and Countryside Commission (FFCC) on both attracting people to our industry who have the diverse interests and aptitude that the agriculture and horticulture sectors will need, and to drive forward the skills agenda needed to future-proof the sector and achieve the FFCC vision.”
The new skills strategy for agriculture and horticulture production will focus on delivery in three core work streams:
- Creating a professional framework relevant to the needs of employers in the future
- Development of clear career paths and fresh approaches to recruitment
- Mechanisms to encourage continuing professional development and business support
Richard Longthorp OBE, Yorkshire farmer, said: “The FFCC report calls for a radical shift based on ambitious objectives, all backed up by practical actions and solutions. This is the primary focus of the SLG, a top-down approach in influencing policy and legislation for agri-skills.
“And a bottom-up approach in creating pathways, toolkits and effective marketing to engage the existing and new entrants to food and farming.”
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