“Coronavirus has changed the way we live and work, but that doesn’t mean we should not plan ahead now in order to keep learning and improving both our personal and business skills.”
This is the message from Kevin Thomas, director of Lantra Wales, which together with Menter a Busnes, delivers Farming Connect on behalf of the Welsh Government and the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development.
Mr Thomas is urging all eligible individuals to submit an application for training during the next skills application window which will be open from 9 am Monday, 4 May until 5 pm Friday, 26 June.
Farming Connect’s wide range of short accredited training courses, which are available to all eligible individuals registered with Farming Connect, are subsidised by up to 80%.
“We are working closely with the Farming Connect training provider network and our awarding bodies – the organisations responsible for monitoring assessment and quality of training – to review which of the training courses usually delivered face-to-face, can continue to be delivered through technology, digitally or online during the current coronavirus lockdown."
“A small number of our approved providers already deliver business related courses digitally to their clients but as the full picture becomes clearer, we will share this information with the wider industry."
“Clearly this has been a difficult time for both learners and training providers, but we would encourage employers and workers to continue to invest in skills and development and apply for the training support in the upcoming window, in the hope that normal delivery methods can resume as soon as possible,” said Mr. Thomas.
Face to face to training is broadly categorised under the headings of business; land and livestock. A detailed list of approximately 80 courses within these categories can be found at www.gov.wales/farmingconnect together with a list of Farming Connect’s approved training providers, who are located throughout Wales.
Before you can submit an online application for funding, you must be personally registered with Farming Connect. You need to register with your own individual email address. Once registered you will be able to access the Business Wales website to complete a Personal Development Plan (PDP) and apply for the training course and select the provider you require.
The completion of a PDP and application form is a short and straightforward process but assistance is available either from your regional Farming Connect development officer or your selected training provider. There are also online guides and a ‘how to’ video on the Farming Connect website.
Farmers and foresters wanting to apply for funding for training during the next application window who are not already registered with Farming Connect will need to do so by contacting the Farming Connect Service Centre on 08456 000 813 before 5pm Monday, 22 June 2020.
Once your training has been completed and claimed for, a copy of your certificate will be uploaded onto your secure, personal, online Storfa Sgiliau record. Any online services, workshops and surgeries that you are still able to access through Farming Connect will also be uploaded automatically on your behalf.
If you require any further information about Farming Connect training and all online services available at the current time, including Storfa Sgiliau, contact your regional Farming Connect development officer or the Farming Connect Service Centre on 08456 000 813. Alternatively, visit www.gov.wales/farmingconnect
Farming Connect, which is delivered by Menter a Busnes and Lantra, has received funding through the Welsh Government Rural Communities - Rural Development Programme 2014-2020, which is funded by the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development and the Welsh Government