Farming Minister Jim Paice yesterday unveiled a £20 million scheme to help provide work-based training for rural businesses, aimed at filling the gap in skills training identified in rural enterprises.

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However, although Defra has done much to support rural enterprises and the Department for Business and Innovation has pledged to roll out broadband to remote regions, staunch criticism of the effects many government policies are having on rural communities persists.

With cuts to transport, healthcare and education affecting rural regions most severely and in conjunction with higher taxes for rural residents, there are fears that some people in these regions may not be able to benefit from schemes aimed at business. In December, a personnel adviser in Shropshire told Farming Online that although apprenticeships do exist and courses at land based colleges fill up each year, the lack of transport, careers guidance and local amenities are damaging rural communities.

These factors are isolating towns and villages, precipitating a flight of the young or else leaving those who cannot leave without vital services. Last week, two MPs representing different parties expressed their fears over the effects that loss of services would have on Britain’s rural communities.

Nevertheless, support for training will be welcomed by those who can access it and rural businesses, which are increasingly beginning to realise the vital benefits faster internet offers companies in the internet age, will welcome funded training opportunities in business management and computer skills. Training will also be available in improving resource efficiency, developing leadership qualities, improving farming skills and improving animal health and welfare. 

Upon announcing the scheme, Farming Minister, Jim Paice said, “This investment is the latest in a £165 million package of support to help unlock the economic potential of our rural areas.”

The next stage for the new framework is to select ‘training providers’, which the government will do this summer. The training opportunities will then be available to businesses in the Autumn, according to the farming minister.

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