United Kingdom-Getting young people back on the land.

Lantra - the Sector Skills Council responsible for ensuring that people working in environmental and land based industries have the right skills to work effectively – said apprenticeships can lead to improved productivity and performance for businesses where they work. Recent research has shown that 77per cent of employers believe that apprenticeships help make them more competitive.

At Duchy College’s Roswarne site near Camborne apprentices demonstrated their skills by starting work on landscaping the grounds of The Ark, the college’s recently opened animal care section, a facility which itself is used to train apprentices.

Chris Shepherd Work Based Learning Manager at Duchy College said: "The greatest strength of an apprenticeship from a young person’s perspective is that they are learning a trade and earning a wage. From an employer’s viewpoint they allow the apprentice to be trained with the skills required to fit with the ethos of an individual business. It is a very effective way of reinforcing the knowledge and skills learned during off the job training. It can be very flexible– day release, block release or even more bespoke to suit the industry or employer. From the educational viewpoint it is wonderful to be able to blend knowledge and skills learned off the job with the experience gained on the job and applied in a real working environment." Gamekeeping and Wildlife Management.

Duchy College recently started apprenticeship training in Gamekeeping and Wildlife Management for young people in North Devon. Teaching is tailored to suit the needs of employers and mainly takes place on game farms, shoots and workplaces. Clive Basey-Fisher runs a game farm in Winkleigh which breeds 50,000 to 60,000 pheasants and partridges a year. He has taken on 17 year old Steven Lancaster from Little Torrington as an apprentice Gamekeeper.

"We have had people do NVQs in the past but Steven is our first apprentice" said Clive. He originally came here when he was 15 for a week long work experience placement from school. We got on well, he liked it and came back to help at weekends and evenings.

"In September last year he came back to work full-time and started a 12-18 month apprenticeship. He spends some days at college, but most of his training is here on the farm.

"We can pick and choose who we employ, and Steven was an ideal choice. He comes from a countryside background, is very enthusiastic, willing to learn and to work hard.

"The advantage of apprenticeships is that Steven not only learns the practical side, but is doing college work to keep his academic studies going too.

"After I decided I wanted to take on an apprentice, the college did everything else. They sent someone round to help coordinate it and have made it all very easy. I have to meet certain criteria set by the Game Farmers Association and health and safety requirements, but that is it.

"I would recommend apprenticeships to other employers. The most important thing is to find an apprentice who can work as part of a team and is willing to learn".

"I originally wanted to be a builder" said Steven, "but gamekeeping came my way. I came here first when I was 15 on a work placement from school and about a year later I decided I would rather be a gamekeeper. "Being an apprentice means I am trained at work but also get off the job training locally. I have various tests to do in things such as quad bikes, chain saws and deer stalking. "Training can either be on the job here, or at other locations such as game farms or shoots. I get to see other people’s businesses to learn from others. I went out stalking in woodland recently.

"It’s been a lot of work but I am enjoying it and I’m getting a qualification at the end of it. I plan to stay in gamekeeping for many years."

Agriculture.

Andy Cook farms a 600 acre sheep and arable farm at Braunton near Barnstaple. He approached Duchy College in 2006 to enquire about a livestock apprenticeship for Ben Anton (19), a young man he intended to employ. In discussion it became obvious that the distances involved would prevent Ben travelling to college from his home for off the job training.

Andy worked with the College to identify other farmers in his area who might need training for young people already working in their business. A meeting was arranged between the prospective apprentices, their parents, farmers and the College and a group of five young people were identified to begin an apprenticeship programme. As a result of the interest shown, the College appointed a tutor for this part of North Devon. He was tasked to devise a programme which would suit this group of employers and their apprentices.

Andy has provided facilities at his farm for training on a number of occasions; the group has visited various different locations and attended training in Barnstaple. "My last full time member of staff left and I was looking for someone else" said Andy. "I wanted to train a young person but couldn’t find anyone to fit the bill.

"Ben had been here on a work experience placement from School. He didn’t come from a farming background but I heard he was still interested. "At first I was reluctant because I felt I would have to teach him everything, but I contacted Duchy College and things went from there. The College has helped with every bit of the process.

"Duchy College is a long way from here but Ben does his practical training on the farm or on other farms, and does things like computer training at the vets practice in Barnstaple.

"I’m very pleased with the way it has worked out. When he arrived I had 600 acres and no staff, so he went in at the deep end. He has picked it up quickly. I prefer to have someone who is being properly trained.

"From my point of view he has been useful at keeping me up-to- date with modern thinking on livestock farming. "Ben’s apprenticeship ends soon, but I plan to continue working with the College and will be very happy for the next batch of apprentices to come here to the farm as part of their training.

"I would recommend that other farmers look at taking on apprentices. Young people start fresh, are trained how to do things properly and bring new energy and experience to the farm."

"I had wanted to be a farmer since I was very young" said Ben. "I came here on work experience when I was 16. When I left school I couldn’t find a job in farming so I trained as a chef, but it wasn’t what I wanted to do.

"Then the chance came to work with Andy and to do the apprenticeship through Duchy College. "The apprenticeship works well for me. I prefer learning through practical work than theory. The College comes to me about once a month and gives one-to-one training. At other times I meet up with the other five local apprentices on a farm and we are trained together. "I have passed certificates in tractor driving, telehandler, first aid and health and safety.

"I am nearing the end of my Livestock apprenticeship and plan to do a module in crops. In a couple of years I’m hoping to use my qualifications to go to New Zealand for a few months and gain even more experience.

"For anyone thinking about becoming an apprentice, I’d say go for it! An apprenticeship is so much easier. You are not sitting in a class room learning about it. Lots of people go to college but only learn theory. As an apprentice you are actually doing it!"