Horticulture, livestock and arable employers are being encouraged to have their say about future training standards for the agricultural industry.

Plans were announced last year to replace apprenticeship frameworks with new “Trailblazer” apprenticeship standards set by employers, to give apprentices a qualification focused on exactly what the industry needs.

Frameworks have previously been developed by skills councils and training providers. Now for the first time, employers are being given the opportunity to directly set the industry standards that they want in place.

The Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB) is working closely with EDGE Apprenticeships, Lantra and the NFU facilitating the development of the new industry standards, to ensure that industry can make the most of the unique opportunity.

The standards will now be two pages long and structured like a job description, this is vastly different to the current lengthy apprenticeship frameworks. The new standards will be based around 3 main areas - skills, knowledge and behaviour. The standards will outline the knowledge and practical skills expected of the apprentice and furthermore they will be expected to possess certain behaviours on completing an apprenticeship, such as a good work ethic and being a team player.

The idea behind the new format for standards is that a young person, parent or employer will be able to look at these standards and understand what is expected of an apprentice, making it much more accessible and meaningful to all involved. The apprentice will effectively be able to do “what it says on the tin”.

Apprenticeships will also now be graded on completion of their programme and apprentices will be awarded a pass, merit or distinction similar to that of full time educational courses.

Richard Longthorp, Agriculture & Horticulture Trailblazer Apprenticeship Bid Lead Employer, explains the way the structuring of the standards will work,

“Three pilot occupations will be given trailblazer status, Technician (Horticultural/Fresh Produce/Arable/Glasshouse), Packhouse Operative and Unit/Site/Livestock Manager. Piloting an occupation from cropping, horticulture and livestock is important in order to maintain continuity throughout the industry.”

An overarching steering group will establish the high level industry standards. There will then be a number of work groups who will cover the specific occupations and report back to the steering group.

The work groups are setting the standards for the three pilot occupations at present, they will then survey the wider industry, asking employers to give their opinions on the standards proposed. From here amendments will be made as appropriate and the standards will be sent to the Department for Business, Innovation & Skills for approval.

Tess Howe, Industry Skills Project Manager at AHDB says, “We have to get people responding to this consultation, particularly the SME’s. The entire industry should be given the opportunity to have an input in the standards set going forward.”

A draft will be available in early January to any employer who wants to have an input. With the employers engaged in the entire process they can create an apprenticeship framework that will deliver apprentices who are fit for purpose. If you would like to be part of the consultation, the draft will be available on the EDGE website from January, edgeapprenticeships.org.

Tess Howe adds “It doesn’t happen very often that we as an industry get to reform apprenticeships, this is a call to action to the whole industry. Have your say now and influence the future of the agricultural apprenticeship”.

Farming Minister George Eustice said, "A vibrant and competitive farming industry needs new entrants that are equipped with the best possible skills. Getting employers involved in developing apprenticeships like the Agriculture and Horticulture Trailblazer apprenticeship is a great way of achieving this. The new standards will also help us promote farming as a career choice and address the skills needed to secure the future of the industry.”

EDGE project manager Richard Self adds, “These changes will make sure that apprenticeships meet the needs of employers going forward and will help us to attract the best possible candidates into land-based careers”.

If you would like some more information on trailblazer apprenticeships visit the EDGE website edgeapprenticeships.org or contact the EDGE team on 01603 881979.