AHDB is offering levy payers a £3,000 discount on a professionally recognised qualification which looks to increase the skills of farmers who manage people.
Applications for the Professional Manager Development Scheme (PMDS) course will start in January 2019.
The course is designed to increase the skills of farmers who manage people, enabling them to apply business intelligence from other sectors, improve communication and understanding, to raise the level of professionalism in the agricultural industry.
AHDB levy payers are eligible for a £3,000 discount on the qualification, which is run by training specialists Cedar Associates.
At the end of the course participants evaluate its impact themselves and in earlier rounds those taking part identified benefits of more than £300,000, which is an average of £28,000 per business.
Evidence from previous groups also shows these benefits continue to increase as time goes by and they become more efficient at implementing the tools and techniques gained on the course.
Tess Howe, Senior Skills Manager at AHDB said skills that farmers relied on in the past are not necessarily the skills required to ensure businesses thrive in the future.
“As businesses respond to a changing market, skills needs alter and our management skills need to develop to ensure we get the best out of our employees and others that support the business such as consultants, advisors and contractors,” Ms Howe said.
'Stronger team'
There are ten sessions planned over the fourteen month programme, each consisting of an evening discussion followed by a day of management training.
Ruth Thomas, a pig farmer from Norfolk said that he joined the course to improve leadership skills and ultimately build a stronger team on the farm.
“Managing staff can sometimes feel like every step you take forward, you take two steps back, but the practical techniques taught have been really useful and the support of the group has been a key element to us all improving our ability to manage people and improve our effectiveness within our respective businesses,” she said.
Farmers who take part in the course receive a formal qualification from the Institute of Leadership and Management (ILM) and a certificate in First Line Management.
Limited places
The interview panel are looking for individuals who are looking to improve their own management skills and have the ability to implement change where required.
Places are limited, however, there is no pre-requisite in terms of qualifications but applicants must be able to complete reports and commit to attending all training sessions.
Application forms should be submitted by Wednesday 31 October 2018 and successful candidates will be invited for interview on Monday 12 November.
AHDB levy payers are eligible for a discount to attend the course which costs £950 plus VAT and includes registration, tutor and hotel fees. Non-levy payers can apply at a cost of £3,950 plus VAT.
