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Rural businesses often find it hard to access the best vocational training courses. Defra鈥檚 Skills and Knowledge Framework, provided through the Rural Development Programme for England, will offer a subsidised vocational training programme to help improve business skills.

There will be training opportunities in business management and computer skills (ICT), improving resource efficiency, developing leadership qualities, and improving animal health and welfare.聽 Businesses will also be able to apply for training to improve traditional rural and farming skills and take new business opportunities in rural tourism.

Farming Minister, Jim Paice said,

鈥淲e鈥檙e investing up to 拢20 million in vocational training to help rural and farming enterprises increase their profits and get more competitive.聽 This is the latest in a 拢165 million package of support to help unlock the economic potential of our rural areas.鈥�

Defra has worked with industry stakeholders to ensure that all training delivered through the Skills and Knowledge Framework will improve businesses鈥� competitiveness and technical development.

The training packages will be delivered through specialist training providers through The Skills and Knowledge Framework. Following a competitive tendering process, successful training providers will be selected this summer to join the RDPE Skills and Knowledge Framework. From autumn, eligible businesses will be able to access a whole range of training and development opportunities that will improve both their own skills and those of their employees.

Of the 拢100 million Rural Development Programme for England funding announced in the Rural Economy Growth Review, Defra has already allocated 拢20 million to the Farming and Forestry Improvement Scheme and launched the 拢60 million Rural Economy Grant scheme to provide grants of up to 拢1 million to transform the prospects and profits of agricultural and rural businesses.

Notes

Skills and Knowledge Transfer is the latest initiative in Defra鈥檚 拢100 million investment in agricultural, forestry, horticultural and聽rural businesses and communities, delivered through the Rural Development Programme for England (RDPE).The Rural Development Programme for England aims to improve competitiveness in the agriculture and forestry sector; safeguard and enhance the rural environment and foster competitive, sustainable rural businesses and thriving rural communities.聽

A 拢165 million package of support to help rural businesses and communities grow was announced in the Rural Economy Growth Review in November 2011. Measures include:

• 拢100 million from the Rural Development Programme for England (RDPE) to help small businesses improve their skills, facilities and competitiveness;
• Grants totalling 拢20 million to extend superfast broadband to the remotest areas;
• 拢15 million for new Rural Growth Networks to help rural areas overcome barriers to growth such as poor infrastructure, scarcity of business premises and lack of business networks;
• Action to make it easier to change the use of farm buildings to address the shortage of rural business premises;
• 拢25 million to promote rural tourism and supporting its businesses (includes 拢10 million RDPE funding);
• Loans totalling 拢15 million for community-owned renewable energy schemes; and
• A new action plan to support the agri-food sector, including a 拢500,000 competition to support innovation and highlight opportunities for growth.