Farmers and foresters registered with the new Farming Connect programme can apply online for up to 80% funding for short, accredited training courses available through ‘Invest in Skills & Mentoring’, Farming Connect’s new and enhanced lifelong learning and development programme.
The second of the three funding application windows available in Year 1 will be open from 1 April to 29 April 2016. This year’s third and final window will be available from 1 June to 30 June 2016.
The new programme is being delivered by Lantra Wales on behalf of Farming Connect. Director of Lantra Wales, Kevin Thomas, said today that take up of the new programme is already exceeding expectations with more than 400 individuals having been allocated places on either transformational training courses, which focus on business and management skills development, technical training or training on machinery and equipment use. He emphasised that application forms for funding can only be submitted online and said that there was a simple process to go through first.
You must have already registered yourself with the new Farming Connect programme and have received your individual Farming Connect registration number before you can complete your Personal Development Plan (PDP).
“More than 600 individuals have now signed up for PDPs. Having a PDP will provide you with a baseline which sets out your current level of knowledge and will assist you with identifying future training needs both short and longer term, ensuring that your continual professional development is recorded and measured,” said Mr. Thomas.
Anyone who requires assistance in completing their PDPs can drop into a series of workshops that are set up pan Wales - dates and venues can be accessed on this page.
Anyone planning to apply for funding for completing a machinery and equipment use related course will need to complete Farming Connect’s free online Health and Safety course first.
A list of Farming Connect accredited training courses and approved training providers, information on the new range of e-learning courses and guidance on completing a Personal Development Plan are all available on the Training page of our website. The second application window will open on the 1 April.
Anyone planning to apply for training must speak to their selected training provider first, in order to obtain the correct course costs which need to be included on the application form.
You can also find out more information about the new programme and how it can benefit you, as well as contact details of your local Farming Connect development officer who will provide any support and guidance you might require by browsing this website.