Lantra launches final consultation for Trees and Timber Apprenticeship

Employers from the trees and timber industry are being invited to join forces with Lantra, the Sector Skills Council for environmental and land-based industries, to help shape the future direction of apprenticeships in England and Wales.

A major consultation with employers and other representatives from the industry will take place online to establish what they need from the current apprenticeship, and following demand from industry, also develop a new advanced apprenticeship in trees and timber, handing the industry unparalleled control over their qualifications.

Jo-Anne Bryan, Lantra's Apprenticeship Manager, said: "Apprenticeships can help ensure the sector's workforce has the skills it needs to remain competitive. Providing on-the-job training, apprenticeships are a great way for employers to ensure their workforce is up to the challenge now, and in the future. Lantra has a demand-led approach so apprenticeships are developed by employers, for employers, and so are focused on meeting their needs."

An apprenticeship is not a qualification in itself but a package of learning and qualifications combined with practical work experience gained through employment in a chosen industry. Apprenticeships are available to all ages and can be delivered entirely in the workplace or a combination of workplace and an approved college or training provider.

John Earp of Dorset Works, part of Dorset County Council, supervises a team of nine arboriculturists, including apprentice Jack Pomeroy. John said: "Jack's course sees him with us four days and at college one day a week. Seeing what we do first-hand helps reinforce Jack's studies when he goes into college. The kind of apprenticeship Jack is experiencing is vital, particularly in the current economic climate, to teach people like him the skills they need to get on the job ladder."

The consultation is seeking the views of those with a keen interest or involvement in trees and timber and is the final stage of the review process. The consultation will be available online from Monday 1 March to Thursday 1 April 2010.

Jo-Anne continued: "We want as many industry representations as possible to respond to this consultation as we must meet industry needs."

To take part in the consultation for the trees and timber apprenticeship or for more details on Lantra's apprenticeship reviews, please visit www.lantra.co.uk/trees-and-timber-apprenticeships. If you would like more information about the consultation, please contact apprenticeships@lantra.co.uk or telephone 02476 858 424.

ENDS
Issued by:  Lantra Press Office - contact media@lantra.co.uk or call 02476 858 407.

Notes to editor:

About Apprenticeships

• Available to all ages, apprenticeships provide on-the-job training so employees can contribute to the business while gaining the skills and experience the employer needs. They have been revived over the last 10 years to ensure they add even more value to businesses. There is no set time to complete an apprenticeship and they can be delivered entirely in the workplace or a combination of workplace and an approved college or training provider.
• There are 13 apprenticeship frameworks, managed by Lantra, that cover the environmental and land-based sector: Agricultural crops, livestock and mixed farming; Animal care; Aquaculture (only available in Scotland); Environmental conservation; Equine; Farriery; Fencing; Floristry; Game and wildlife management; Horticulture (amenity and production); Land-based service engineering; Trees and timber; Veterinary nursing.
• For employers in England who are considering taking on an apprentice there are currently 5000 grants of £2500 for employers who take on an unemployed apprentice aged 16 or 17, by the end of March 2010. In Scotland the current incentive is £1000 per employer.

About Lantra

• Lantra, the Sector Skills Council for the environmental and land-based sector, is licensed by the UK government to drive forward the new skills, training and business development agenda for the sector.
• Lantra represents 17 industries and 1.5 million workers and volunteers in agricultural crops, agricultural livestock, animal care, animal technology, aquaculture, environmental conservation, equine, farriery, fencing, fisheries management, floristry, game and wildlife management, land-based engineering, landscape, production horticulture, trees and timber and veterinary nursing. For more information see http://www.lantra.co.uk/.