Academy to open skills training to rural areas

The idea behind the Yorkshire Rural Academy is to bring local training and education opportunities for countryside businesses.

It will offer courses from introductory skills to graduate and post-graduate levels, and will also develop tailor-made courses for individual businesses.

The institutions involved will provide training not only at their own centres but at centres belonging to other partners.

With 19 locations across the county, from Swaledale to Scarborough and Skipton to York, it is expected to bring a huge range of opportunities within reach of new learners.

The academy is the first of its kind and has been developed by Askham Bryan College, York St John University, Craven College and Lantra - the Sector Skills Council for the Environmental and Land-based sector.

Project co-ordinator Caroline Williams said: "The partners in the academy are committed to meeting the challenges of our rapidly-changing land-based economy.

"New skills are vital as we confront issues such as agricultural and land management restructuring and climate change.

"Our research shows than fewer than half the skills needed by rural businesses are technical. More often the required skills are in broader areas such as business, management, marketing and diversification.

"By working together, the new academy will bring these skills to a much wider audience.

"Travelling time will be reduced and the flexibility we are able to offer will mean that businesses can access exactly the kind of targeted training they require and their employees can focus on the subjects that are really important to them and develop the skills they need in a shorter period of time."

The academy will be launched at the Skipton Auction Mart on September 27, when organisations and businesses will have a chance to meet the partners and discover the opportunities on offer.

It is hoped that the venture will be expanded across the Yorkshire and Humberside region over the next two to three years.