Agricultural skills will be taught in schools to 14-19 year olds as part of a new reform from the Government.
In 2009 the Diploma in Environmental and Land-Based Studies will become part of the national curriculum in some schools across England, running alongside GCSE and A level. However, it is hoped that by 2013 every young person in the country will have the opportunity to study the Diploma within the curriculum.
Introduced by Lantra and the Department for Children, Schools and Families, the new qualification will be available on three different levels; foundation, higher and advanced which will be equal to three and a half A-levels.
The course involves all environmental and land-based industries including environmental sciences, working with plants and animals and looking after forests and wetland areas. Students will be taught practical skills, knowledge and understanding as well as essential skills in English, maths and ICT.
Lantra says the move balances and offers both academic and vocational learning and is a great way to prepare young people for employment, further training or university.
Lantra conducted research with young people in England in 2007 which reported that only 9% of young people were familiar with the terms production horticulture and just 14% of respondents knew what equine referred to. NFU research reported that 63% of young farmers were not given any careers information for the agricultural industry.