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Skills Development Programme

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Invest in Training Case Studies - DVD

Farming Connect's Skills Development Programme is already making a difference to farm and forestry businesses across Wales.

Invest in Training Case Studies

The following case studies demonstrate how six farming families have developed their skills to improve their business.

Glossary

Glossary
if you've seen a term you don't understand, please check here for an explanation.

Our subsidised Farming Connect Skills Development Programme provides access to courses throughout Wales on both practical and regulation-linked courses.

There is a wide range to choose from including:

  • Sheep shearing
  • Foot trimming
  • Chainsaw operation
  • Food preparation and hygiene
  • Trailer towing
  • Safe use of pesticides
  • Health & Safety
  • Safe use of veterinary medicines
  • Dry stone walling
  • Telescopic handling
  • ATV/quad bike training

Invest in training – learn a new skill or develop an existing one

Eligible farmers and forestry businesses can claim 80% funding towards vocational, statutory or regulation-linked training.  

Farming Connect will only fund awarding body approved or accredited courses to ensure that training is delivered to a consistent and high quality.

In order to access the Skills Development Programme, it is essential that your farm or forestry businesses is registered with Farming Connect, and this must be done before any training is booked.

This programme is open to you, immediate family members and paid employees on PAYE.

If you are running a business in agricultural livestock/crops or forestry, it is important that you and your employees have the right skills. 

You can have access to subsidised courses through our network of training providers and colleges across Wales who can deliver a range of practical accredited courses.

If you would like to discuss course options or see a list of approved training providers contact your Farming Connect Regional Co-ordinator for more information:

Mid and South East Wales

Gwenan Ellis:
Telephone no: 07866 547894 
Email: gwenan.ellis@menterabusnes.co.uk

Geographical Area: Montgomeryshire

Deian Thomas:
Telephone no: 07772 694952 
Email: deian.thomas@menterabusnes.co.uk

Geographical Area: South East and Valleys

Chris Davies:
Telephone no: 07917 895255 
Email: chris.davies@lantra.co.uk

Geographical Area: Brecknock and Radnorshire

North Wales

Elliw Evans:
Telephone no: 07772 694116  
Email: elliw.evans@menterabusnes.co.uk

Geographical Area: Pen Llyn - Gwynedd

Guto Owen:
Telephone no: 01248 672672  
Email: guto.owen@menterabusnes.co.uk

Geographical Area: Ynys Mon, Eryri & Meirionnydd

Lowri Williams:
Telephone no: 07772 694098 
Email: lowri.williams@menterabusnes.co.uk

Geographical Area: Wrexham and Flint

Eryl Roberts:
Telephone no: 07917 895253 
Email: eryl.roberts@lantra.co.uk

Geographical Area: Denbighshire and Conwy

South and West Wales

Rhodri Jones:
Telephone no: 01970 636286 
Email: rhodri.jones@menterabusnes.co.uk

Geographical Area: North Ceredigion

Gareth Griffiths:
Telephone no: 07772 694112 
Email: gareth.griffiths@menterabusnes.co.uk

Geographical Area: Carmarthenshire

Sarah Lewis:
Telephone no: 07827 956765
Email: sarah.lewis@lantra.co.uk

Geographical Area: South Pembrokeshire

Dylan Sandbrook:
Telephone no: 07772 694958 
Email: dylan.sandbrook@menterabusunes.co.uk

Geographical Area: North Pembrokshire/South Ceredigion

Eligibility

The Skills Development programme is open to all businesses with:

  • a County Parish Holding (CPH) number;
  • a Customer reference Number (CRN), and;
  • working in excess of 550 hours per year.
  • Forestry businesses must have a current Better Woodlands for Wales (BWW) number

All eligible businesses can apply for 80% funding towards courses offering practical skills or regulation-linked training.