Supporting training and qualifications has been a long-standing aim of Lantra, the sector skills council for the land-based and environmental industries. Women have traditionally been under-represented within much of the sector, which is why the organisation is bringing back its highly successful Women and Work programme.
After a four year hiatus, Women and Work is back and offering funding for technical and management training, such as supervisory management, health and safety, machinery operations, first aid, IOSH, administration and first aid.
The scheme is designed to empower and motivate women to progress their careers and help them develop their skills, knowledge and confidence. Women of any age can apply for funding providing they are employed, a volunteer, undertaking an apprenticeship/traineeship or in the process of changing careers. Training should result in demonstrable career progression, such as the acquisition of skills, obtaining a higher level job, gaining transferable skills or gaining a technical award/qualification.
Women and Work was first launched in 2010. The scheme proved an outstanding success and attracted women from across the UK who benefitted greatly from the training they received:
{pull-quote}“Thanks to Lantra’s Women and Work programme I got on a course at college. I’ve learned how to fell and process trees and I’ll be having my assessment in a few weeks’ time. What has been good about the course, alongside volunteering, is the enormous amount of practical experience I’m getting.”
Katie Nicholson – Environmental Conservation Volunteer
“I couldn’t afford the cost of training but I needed it for hedge cutting work as a contractor for a local council. Women and Work enabled me to embark on the course and I gained new skills including lining up to tractors, checking with compatibility, pre-checks on the tractor and trailer and muck spreading.” Victoria Forsyth – Farmer
