Pig Pro, the new training and development web-based tool for the pig industry, goes live on Monday – giving farmers a simpler and more flexible way to record staff skills.

The free online training record has been designed by the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB) and will be an alternative to PIPR – the Pig Industry Professional Register.

Its aim is to provide producers with an easy-to-use and valued method of recording training, with records across the industry being kept in one consistent format.

Accessed through AHDB’s Pig Hub, it will also advertise upcoming training events held by registered training providers and will enable Pig Pro users to register through their own account.

AHDB’s Skills Development Officer Samantha Bowsher said: “The new system aims to simplify the practice of staff training records and encourage more employers and individuals to keep up-to-date records of skills development.

“Pig Pro is the result of a major consultation with industry members who were keen to find a new system better suited to the changing needs of the pig industry. It is incredibly exciting that we are able to offer Pig Pro to businesses and individuals and we are confident it will prove to an extremely useful and valuable tool for the industry.”

Unlike PIPR, which is run by City & Guilds, Pig Pro doesn’t operate on a CPD point scoring system and will allow users to keep a development record throughout their career and have more control over their data.

The system will enable businesses and individuals to access a training events calendar, printable staff records, reminders for mandatory training updates, electronic certificate upload and storage as well as career long records of training and skills.

AHDB has produced a number of ‘how to’ videos which are due to go live next week and will help users access the new system.

Samantha added: “Pig Pro is a one-stop shop for members of the pig industry, allowing users to access all the information and records they could possibly need.”

To access Pig Pro if you are an existing Pig Hub member log in by going to www.pigpro.ahdb.org.uk and use your existing pig hub log in details. Individuals, training providers and non-pig hub members can register at www.pigpro.ahdb.org.uk