RHONA BRANKIN LAUNCHES LANTRA'S PROMOTING WORKPLACE LEARNING DVD (27/06/06)

Deputy Minister for Environment and Rural Development, launched Lantra's Promoting Workplace Learning DVD at this year's Royal Highland Show. Lantra, the Sector Skills Council for environmental and land-based industries, produced the DVD as part of a collaborative project with 27 other Sector Skill Councils and Sector Skill Bodies. The project aims to encourage investment in work-related learning, promote workplace learning opportunities, and raise employer awareness of cost-effective and fit-for-purpose training. Speaking at the launch, Ms Brankin said: "This DVD is one of a number of Lantra projects that promotes workplace learning opportunities and the benefits of a skilled workforce. Importantly, these projects challenge old-fashioned images of our sector as having low skills requirements and limited employment or career progression opportunities."

Lantra selected employers from the environmental and land-based sector who have shown continued commitment to training and development to take part in the DVD. Featured employers included Kames Fish Farm in Kilmerford, Argyll, Forestry Commission Scotland, Farming & Wildlife Advisory Group (FWAG), Lorna Davies Florist and Murrayshall Golf Club. Both of the last two are based in Perth. Employees were filmed in their workplaces, showcasing their skills and promoting the many exciting and diverse career options within the sector.

Through its various projects, Lantra endeavours to support and promote workplace learning and career opportunities for candidates of all ages. Lantra's National Director for Scotland, Willie Fergusson, is proud of the results that Lantra and its partners have achieved to this end: "It is vital for the future growth of our sector that we promote the many exciting career opportunities that exist in our industries and challenge the old-fashioned image that possible entrants to the sector may have. Increasingly, jobs in our sector require high levels of skill,s be it business development, legislative, IT or Continued Professional Development (CPD). Furthermore, as legislation, and indeed the marketplace, continue to change, it is crucial that employers have the right skills in place to be able to take full advantage of new opportunities."

To mark the launch, Lantra recognised the participating employers from the DVD with awards for outstanding commitment to training and development.

Speaking at the launch, Ms Brankin commended Lantra and the award-winning employers: "Through Lantra's Sector Skills Agreement agenda and the success of valuable projects such as the Promoting Workplace Learning DVD, I believe that many more employers will show commitment and dedication to investing in their businesses and staff. This will result in a sustainable future and increased competitiveness for the environmental and land-based sector."

Vocational learning and skills development have become increasingly important over recent years for employees of all ages, seeking either a change in career or a promoted post within the land-based sector. There is little doubt among industry that "hands-on" experience is the best way to learn.

Steve Hunt, Director of Farming & Wildlife Advisory Group Scotland, was delighted to accept the award from Lantra and agrees that skills development and training are key to sustaining Scotland's countryside. He said: "The training and retention of skills in the workplace are important in maintaining an active and thriving workforce. From hedging to dyking and habitat management to fencing, if we lose these skills we begin to lose the countryside we all enjoy and take for granted."

Alongside the creation of the interactive DVD, which promotes the benefits of investment in workplace learning, the project will take advantage of other medias in order to get its coherent message to Scottish employers.