Tag Archive for: Lantra

Lantra Shines a Light on Land-based Careers

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Lantra Shines a Light on Land-based Careers: The spotlight is on land-based and environment careers during this year’s National Careers Week, showcasing the breadth and diversity of opportunities that exist in this exciting area.

Lantra, the leading awarding body for the land-based and environment sector, is highlighting that a career in this area is varied and open to all. From career seekers to career changers, there are entry-points and pathways for people from all backgrounds, and all walks of life, which are highlighted on the Lantra careers web resource.

Lantra Shines a Light on Land-based Careers

Lantra Shines a Light on Land-based Careers

Stephanie Stevens, Careers and Engagement Manager at Lantra commented: “There is a challenge in making young people, particularly, aware that the land-based and environment sector exists – never mind the range of jobs that fall under farming, looking after trees, landscaping and so much more!”.

“Lantra is delighted to be celebrating #NationalCareersWeek, following our recent attendance at What Career? Live. We want to support and empower individuals to take the next step in their career by finding out more about pathways like apprenticeships, further education, and the many vocations the sector has to offer”.

Lantra had a presence for the first time at the busy What Career? Live event which took place on the 1 and 2 March. The careers team were joined by Ollie Brisbourne, who works for a virtual fencing business and is an active member of the Newport Young Farmers Club in Shropshire, who also spoke at the event.

Ollie said: “Agriculture is modernising day by day, with technology becoming a more benefiting factor throughout. My job has allowed me to maximize the benefit of my understanding of the farming industry and farmers themselves, to offer support within the use of Nofence and the data provided.

This system enables fencing virtually, working with GPS and mobile signal to keep livestock within the virtual boundary, benefiting both animal welfare, habitat management, and a variety of other farming systems.”

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Lantra to promote Courses & Careers Opportunities at SALTEX

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Lantra to promote Courses & Careers Opportunities at SALTEX: Lantra is delighted to be exhibiting at one of Europe’s largest turf management shows, SALTEX, next month to promote our latest courses, continue our ongoing Instructor recruitment drive, and promote our innovative website promoting the landscape sector as a great place to forge a fulfilling and long-term career.

Members of the Lantra team will be available on exhibition stand K124 at SALTEX 2023 to update industry professionals on our latest innovations and gather all important feedback from the people who are operating at the sharp end.

Lantra to promote Courses & Careers Opportunities at SALTEX

Lantra to promote Courses & Careers Opportunities at SALTEX

As one of Europe’s leading turf management shows for grounds care volunteers, professionals, suppliers, and manufacturers, the two-day SALTEX event provides the perfect platform for Lantra to reach out to people across the sector.

As well as sharing details on its highly successful Landscape Multi-Tools course, Lantra will also be on hand to provide information on its wide range of other courses in turf industries, such as horticulture, sports turf and landscaping, and also give advice on how industry professionalscan become training Instructors and Providers.

Lantra is passionate about promoting careers in the sector to both new starters and those who are looking to make a career change. We’re equally passionate about helping those already working in the sector progress, and our careers website, featuring a wealth of information on jobs, salary expectations and training routes, is perfect for anyone wanting to explore opportunities in landscape industries and help contribute to a sector that generates a massive £9 billion each year for the UK economy.

David Fisher, Lantra’s Head of Industry Partnerships for the area, said: “We’ve been reviewing and updating our Landscape tools assessed training courses with sustainability in mind.

“Our two-day Landscape Multi-Tools course, which was launched at SALTEX last year, consists of modules covering small engine maintenance, grass trimmers, hedge trimmers and leaf blowers, and will be relevant to both petrol and battery powered machines. The course has proved to be really popular and we’re looking forward to getting first hand feedback, twelve months on at the show.

“At Lantra, we recognise that, like so many other land-based industries, a shortage of suitably skilled labour is a major issue in the landscape sector. A key solution to addressing this skills gap, and growing the sector, is without doubt high quality, industry-recognised training and qualifications.

“That’s why we believe it’s crucial we attend events like SALTEX to share details of our latest training initiatives and keep our finger on the pulse in terms of what’s needed in the real world of work.

“This year, we’ll also be continuing with our drive to recruit experienced industry experts as training Instructors who can inspire, motivate, and educate both the current and future landscape workforce.”

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Lantra new nembers to Board of Trustees

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Lantra new nembers to Board of Trustees: Lantra is delighted to be using this year’s Royal Welsh Show as the perfect opportunity to announce the appointment of three new trustees. 

After more than 40 years helping land-based and environment businesses to attract talent and develop workforce skills, Lantra has built a strong reputation for quality and for its commitment to the sector.  As a not-for-profit charity the Board of Trustees is a vital part of the organisation, instrumental in setting the strategic direction and overseeing performance.

Lantra new nembers to Board of Trustees

Lantra new nembers to Board of Trustees

The new trustees are…

Trefor Owens is an experienced chartered forester and senior leader in sustainable land management.  He has extensive experience working with and sitting on land-based industry committees and advisory boards for organisations such as Forestry and Land Scotland, DEFRA and Welsh Government. Trefor’s expertise in workforce skills planning and his passion for woodland and the natural environment will be invaluable.

Euryn Jones, another proud Welshman, brings to the Board a wealth of experience in agricultural education where he has worked as both an Agricultural Lecturer and Farms Director.  His current role as a Regional Agricultural Director for HSBC, sees him working closely with farmers to develop and grow their businesses.  Euryn’s experience in education and his grass roots appreciation of farming challenges, chime perfectly with Lantra’s business objectives.

Helen Taylor is a committee advisor and Chartered Surveyor with governance experience across the UK’s public and private sectors. Her experience in compliance and regulation, governance and risk, and stakeholder engagement will all be critical skills as the Lantra Board of Trustees prepares to help the senior management team achieve its short and longer-term goals.

David Llewelyn, who took over as Lantra Chair of Trustees in 2022, commented…

“Lantra works tirelessly to address the needs of the land-based and environment sector, anyone working in the sector will appreciate these needs are ever changing and often complex. It is critical that we have the breadth of skills and experience on the board to guide and support the staff team in delivering the charity’s purpose.  I’m confident that the new trustees joining us today bring expertise and knowledge to complement our existing members and contribute to Lantra’s continued success”.

Lantra CEO Marcus Potter, said…

“We are confident that the three new appointments bring a diversity of experience and a genuine enthusiasm for the sector, that will make an invaluable contribution to the Board’s future activities”.

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New Lantra website

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New Lantra website: With UK unemployment at its lowest level since 1974, and businesses across many sectors desperately competing to attract the staff they need, leading land-based and environmental skills charity Lantra, has taken on the challenge to help attract new talent, and retain existing expertise in the sector, with the launch of its NEW website.   

Lantra wound down the provision of a careers information service* back in 2014, when Government funding was cut, but now nine years on, it’s using its own cash flow to re-establish its position as a trusted source for career information across a wide range of land-based industries.

New Lantra website

New Lantra website

The new website, with its extensive careers content, is just the first in a series of focused activities. Two full-time members of staff who are passionate about showcasing the exciting opportunities the sector has to offer have been appointed to drive the careers agenda forward.

When Lantra first embarked upon exploring this new website feature, it soon became clear from a wide range of stakeholders that careers information was thought too hard to find and difficult to understand.

The new website keeps it simple and aims to help visitors navigate easily by answering three key questions…

  1. What jobs could I do, and what do they involve?
  2. What training, qualifications, and experience will I need?
  3. Where can I get the training and qualifications I need?

These questions are just as relevant to people already in the workforce and wanting to progress their careers, as they are for new entrants. The new website gives details of more than 250 job roles across 12 industries and includes a selection of videos and case studies of real people, explaining what each job involves, how they got into their current role and why they love it.

One of the biggest misconceptions the sector faces is the outdated view that the majority of jobs available are low-skilled, low paid and offer little opportunity to progress. Nothing could be further from the truth; Lantra will highlight the amazing new technologies and innovative working practices that are springing up in many industries, whether it be GPS and drones, or robotics and precision farming. All require higher levels of technical skills as well as the ability to understand data, solve complex problems and lead increasingly diverse teams.

Lantra’s recently appointed Chair of Trustees, David Llewelyn commented:  

“Lantra’s new website is designed to provide an easily accessible tool for people to explore their career options and training pathways.  

“This is a significant development and will enable us to give people the information they need, literally at their fingertips. We know that the land-based sector is a great place to work with hundreds of varied roles, but its sheer scale has meant finding ‘joined up’ information all in one place has been a challenge.  

“We’re confident the new website will provide convenient, relevant and accessible information for people wanting to start a career in the great outdoors, and for those already working in the sector who want to progress their career to the next level.” 

Building skills through the right training and qualifications is essential to ensure that people work safely, productively and sustainably, as well as helping them progress to more senior roles.

All job roles on the new website are linked to a range of relevant qualifications and training. These can be university or college qualifications, apprenticeships, vocational short-courses, or e-learning. The new website already has more than 2,500 courses listed so people can find out more including where and when they are available.

James Broadhouse (aka Jimmy the Mower), Groundsman & Social Media Influencer commented:  

“As someone who has spent his career and built his professional reputation working in grounds management, I certainly wouldn’t want to work anywhere else. The thought of sitting in an office all day fills me with dread.  

“The land-based sector has hundreds of fascinating roles and is a great place to work and establish a worthwhile career path regardless of whether you want to tackle the latest high end tech roles or if you’re happy doing something more traditional.  

“I like to think that through social media I can help do my bit to promote the sector and I’ll have no hesitation in pushing this new Lantra website careers and training initiative.” 

As a not-for-profit organisation, with a long history of supporting land-based industries, Lantra is uniquely placed to provide objective information on careers opportunities and associated training and, whilst the provision of careers advice is not part of their remit, they are confident the wealth of information provided will help signpost individuals on a career path whatever their interests or aspirations.

Dawne Middleton, National Trust Gardener, Croome, Worcester, said:  

“After a long and successful career in marketing, back in 2016, I took the brave decision to jump and pursue the career I’ve always dreamed of.  

“Fast forward 6 years and I’m busy working as a gardener for the National Trust. My role involves improving the presentation of the garden to re-create the 6th Earl’s vision of Croome, this involves pruning, planting and managing the diverse garden landscape using my horticultural knowledge, and I’ve never been happier. 

“Getting the necessary training and RHS qualifications required lots of hard work and lots of studying. Sometimes finding out who was the right person to contact, or which was the most appropriate qualification wasn’t straightforward, so Lantra’s new website resource would’ve been invaluable.  

“As part of my development, I also had the opportunity to teach some younger college students and I’m confident people in their position will also value the information on the new website.” 

The new website can be viewed here www.lantra.co.uk 

For more information contact marketing@lantra.co.uk or call 02476 696 996  

*Scottish Government-funded support for careers has ensured this continued to be available in Scotland throughout this time.

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Lantra farming safety training front and centre

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Lantra farming safety training front and centre: A father of three, who is a teacher at a Special School in Ballymena, has praised Lantra training and says it has helped young people to forge careers and futures in land-based industries.

Ciaran McCaughan, who lives beside his family’s farm in Co Antrim with his wife Rioghach and children Niamh, Cathair and Riona, has spoken to us about his experiences with Lantra, on receiving major awards, and on giving students the knowledge and skills they need to progress in the world of work.

Lantra farming safety training front and centre

Lantra farming safety training front and centre

In addition to being a teacher at Castle Tower School, delivering Lantra training to his students, Ciaran is a part time farmer, raising Angus Heifer calves through to beef.  In the school environment Ciaran delivers a variety of Lantra training courses to students, including ATV, leaf blowers, mowers and the Level 2 Award in Land Based Activities qualification.

Ciaran recently hit the headlines after winning the ‘Unsung Hero’ category in the prestigious Farming Life Awards in October. The Farming Life Awards recognise excellence in agriculture, talent, and innovation in the sector.  His accolade was awarded in recognition of his work with the young people at Castle Towers School, and for his dedication to training young people who wish to enter the industry.

He said: “Lantra has helped make an immense improvement to the practical and purposeful learning within Castle Tower School. It has provided a framework to help post-16 students gain a recognised qualification and gain a wide range of skills over their three years, including leaf blower, ATV, ride on mower and hedge trimming training.

“There is a job for everyone in this industry, and training is vital for people to realise their dreams and aspirations, whatever they are.

“Lantra is helping to qualify our students and help them gain meaningful employment when they leave school.  The students are much more motivated and enthused, especially with the practical aspects of the courses. This motivation means that the students are much more focussed as they are enjoying all the various tasks.

“Completing a practical ‘land based/agricultural’ qualification is much more appealing to the ‘practical – hands on Learner’. Lantra qualifications are viewed by my students as fun, worthwhile and full of real-life activities for real life work.

“The training also helps with literacy and numeracy tasks (which some students previously wouldn’t have done or felt they couldn’t do) to complete the course, alongside the practical tasks. I have found the training courses and qualification to be a huge motivator to students who were disengaged from the mainstream learning activities in school.

“I wanted to teach ‘Farm Safety’ and teach pupils how to look after themselves and others – there are too many injuries and deaths from quads, tractors, and machinery accidents. I hope, in the delivery of this qualification, I am doing a small part to both motivate and protect the workforce of tomorrow.

“Lantra has given me the opportunity to teach the students that there are only two ways to carry out a job, the RIGHT way, and the WRONG way.  My focus with Lantra is to teach students the ‘RIGHT way’ to use machinery and work with livestock. In class, and while working on the farm, my focus is on safety, and I always encourage the students to take their time and carry out tasks correctly, with the minimum risk to themselves and others.

“Hopefully the training the students undertake will stay with them the rest of their lives, and give them the correct basis for using machinery, helping to prevent accidents or injuries in the future.”

Ciaran continued, “I would love to see many more Special Schools and Mainstream Secondary Schools throughout NI, and potentially to rest of the UK, introduce Lantra qualifications and training into their curriculums.  Lantra is an excellent ‘vehicle’ for students to gain recognised and worthwhile qualifications which can help them start their future ‘work life’”.

Lantra has recently launched a free Children on Farms e-learning safety course which has proved very popular since it became live during the October half term holidays.

The course covers a wide range of areas including children on the farm and the law, children and tractors, children and ATVs and children and falls.  Others concerns, such as children safety around equipment, harmful substances, and the importance of having a farm safety checklist are also covered in the course.

On completion of the free course, participants can download their Children on Farms (E-Learning) certificate.

For further information on this course please log on to https://www.lantra.co.uk/course/children-farms-e-learning-1

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