Lantra Scotland Summary Annual Report 2018-19
Influencing Skills Development across Scotland Lantra Scotland took part in more than 140 events in 2018-19, helping to influence skills development in land-based, aquaculture and environmental conservation industries across the country.
Here’s an idea of the range of places we visited in 2018-19
LANTRA Foreword from Lantra’s Scotland Director On behalf of the Lantra Scotland team, and our Scotland Chair, Henry Graham, I am delighted to present this summary of our contribution to what has been an exciting year for skills development in Scotland’s land-based, aquaculture and environmental conservation industries. In this review, we outline our key achievements and activities, and highlight where we have supported talent attraction and skills development within the sector. In the past year, we have responded to a range of important consultations impacting on rural skills and supported the continuing review of standards, qualifications and apprenticeship frameworks underpinning work-based learning in the sector. This has covered some innovative approaches to delivery, including shared and technical apprenticeships. We have also carried out research to identify future skills requirements in trees and timber, and continue to facilitate quality assurance of Scottish Farm Advisory Service advisors and integrated land management plans. The 2019 Land-based and Aquaculture Learner of the Year Awards was the biggest yet, with 249 guests celebrating the success and achievements of the finalists. Following on from this event, we increased the number of industry champions, who have been supported by their employers to develop and become fantastic ambassadors for the sector. They have spoken at and supported Parliamentary receptions, conferences, the Royal Highland Show and at career evenings, and enthusiastically engaged in a knowledge exchange event hosted by Forest Enterprise Scotland. Their enthusiasm and passion for the sectors in which they work has been inspirational. We have continued to refresh and develop our case studies of businesses, new entrants and progression, in print, on-line and in video format, which have been well-received and help us to communicate the rewarding opportunities available within the land based, conservation and aquaculture sectors. We have delivered a very successful Career Influencer workshop and Skills Briefing, and have also highlighted the importance of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths) subjects to the industries we represent.
Partnership working has continued to be key in raising awareness and understanding of the diverse and rewarding careers within our sector, for advisors, school staff and other ‘influencers’. In particular, our collaborations with the Skills Groups for both aquaculture and trees and timber within Scotland’s Food and Drink have led to many exciting development opportunities, and we look forward to continuing this work into 2019-20, as well as supporting the developing Skills Action Plan for Rural Scotland. I am very grateful to my colleagues in Lantra for all their hard work, and to the Scottish Government’s agriculture and rural economy team for their continuing support. Key to our success has also been the many industry and skills partners who have worked with us closely to help drive skills development forwards in support of Scotland’s diverse and vibrant rural economy. I look forward to continuing our work with you all and building on this momentum in 2019-20 and beyond.
Dr Liz Barron-Majerik, MBE April 2019
Promoting positive and rewarding career choices This area of our work has been focussed on giving more young people, career changers and influencers a better understanding of the many rewarding career opportunities that exist within the land-based sector. Our aim is to get more employers and employees actively engaged in championing skills and career opportunities.
Our new interactive career resource allows searches by job roles, courses and qualifications across our sector.
With partners, we delivered interactive activities and promoted land-based training and qualifications at the Royal Highland Show, resulting in increased awareness of sector skills and career opportunities. We took part in a Royal Hightland Education Trust session for teachers, and our Industry Champions did a career drop-in session for young people and new entrants.
The 2019 Land-based based and Aquaculture Learner of the Year Awards was our largest yet, with 249 people celebrating the success and achievements of the finalists. We had joint winners for the first time: Amy Park from agriculture and Janis Brivkalns from aquaculture. What people say about our learner of the year awards: “Unique in our industries” “Celebrates investment into skills and learning”
“Life-changing”
“Massively validating to be recognised”
“Fantastic opportunity to network”
Watch a video of the event on our website to find out more.
LANTRA A North Career Influencer workshop for teachers, Skills Development Scotland career advisors and Developing the Young Workforce regional staff enabled those taking part to become more knowledgeable about careers in our sector. Women in… We worked towards addressing the gender imbalance within land-based industries by delivering a keynote address to 180 female S3 pupils and guidance teachers at the ‘Women in Wellies’ event; we hosted a meeting with the Women in Agriculture Taskforce training subgroup to discuss skills challenges and we are active in the Women in Scottish Aquaculture network and the Women in Agriculture group.
We were a partner in the Rural Youth Project Ideas Festival, with a team member and an Industry Champion speaking about living and working in rural Scotland. Our Chairman’s reception in Edinburgh highlighted careers within the aquaculture industry, with new entrants speaking about their career journey and the benefits they have gained from investment in their skills development.
30
49
19,283
36
10
2150
KEY CAREER EVENTS DELIVERED, MANY WITH A STEM FOCUS
CASE STUDIES ON OUR WEBSITE
EMPLOYERS AND EMPLOYEES PRESENTED AT LANTRA EVENTS
CAREERS BANNERS CUSTOMISED FOR RHET, RNCI, BORDERS MACHINERY RING
VIEWS OF OUR CAREER VIDEOS ON SOCIAL MEDIA
SCHOOL PUPILS ENGAGED WITH AT CAREERS EVENTS
Industry Champions - Inspiring the next generation Through our Industry Champions initiative, we aim to inspire the next generation of learners and support skills development in the land-based, aquaculture and environmental conservation sector. We invite former finalists of our Land-based and Aquaculture Learner of The Year Awards, who have been recognised for demonstrating inspirational qualities and outstanding contributions to the work place, to join this exclusive group.
Over the last year, our Champions have taken part in a range of activities.
Induction At an introductory event for finalists and employers from the 2018 Awards, 13 signed up to become new Champions. There were presentations from Developing the Young Workforce, Lantra staff and
existing Champions followed by a social media and vlogging workshop in support of the Champions in their new roles.
Royal Highland Show Sixteen Champions were at the Lantra stand to speak to schools about working in our sector, and to network. Jamie Hepburn MSP, Minister for Business, Fair Work and Skills spoke to the Champions to find out more about the initiative and presented them with commemorative certificates. Jakob Eunson
spoke about his experience of doing a Modern Apprenticeship in agriculture in an NFUS seminar, promoting the benefits to employers, while Megan Rowland, a game and wildlife champion, was on the panel at the Oxford Farming debate.
Celebrating Rural Youth Parliamentary Reception The key contribution made by young people to Scotland’s rural economy and communities was celebrated at a joint reception between Lantra Scotland and the Rural Youth Project at the Scottish
Parliament, sponsored by Tavish Scott MSP. Mary Bowman also spoke about her learning journey and experience of being an Industry Champion.
LANTRA Knowledge Exchange Event Our Industry Champions also took part in many other events across the country, including: our Landbased and Aquaculture Learner of the Year Awards 2019; Chairman’s receptions in Edinburgh, Dunblane and Dingwall, a Rural Youth Festival, the Highland Environment Forum, the Inspiring Futures careers conference, and other industry and school careers events throughout Scotland.
11 Champions made a fascinating visit to a harvesting site in Ae Forest, hosted by 2017’s overall learner of the year winner, Emma Staniforth, and colleagues from Forest Enterprise Scotland. Over two days, the Champions developed their leadership skills and improved their understanding of the trees and timber industry.
Employers The work of the Industry Champions has helped make careers in the sector more appealing and allowed us to widen the scope of skills development activities and engagement with partners. Lantra recognises the success of this initiative relies on the generosity of employers in supporting their staff as Champions, which is highly valued by all concerned.
Our stories “The experience so far has been brilliant. The initiative has helped me find my “voice” and thrive within horticulture, especially as a young woman.” Jennifer Wright
“I can’t wait to meet the new Champions and learn from them. There are very exciting times ahead for the Champions and the initiative.” Andrew Dixon
“The rewards have far surpassed expectation, not only in the strengthening of my CV but also in the personal reward of being part of a great team, for a great cause.” Mary Bowman
“The Industry Champions Initiative has given me a chance to give something back through Lantra and to give a new voice to my sector.” Megan Rowland
23 CHAMPIONS PROMOTED LAND-BASED AND AQUACULTURE CAREERS AT SCHOOLS, PARTNERSHIP CAREER EVENTS AND THE ROYAL HIGHLAND SHOW
8 BUSINESS AND STAKEHOLDER EVENTS FOCUSED ON SKILLS
2 PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT EVENTS TO SUPPORT THEIR WORK
1 PARLIAMENTARY RECEPTION CELEBRATING RURAL YOUTH
Influencing learning and training provision Our goals were to increase awareness and understanding of learning and training provision, make sure skills policies, strategies and support reflect the needs of our sector, and increase the uptake of land-based learning and training. To support Scottish Apprenticeship Week and promote apprenticeships to employers, we produced a Scottish Farmer advertorial on behalf of the Skills for Farming Group. Twelve Lantra case studies were also used in social media and our website during the week. This was part of a 3-week focus on skills, starting with an in-depth interview with Lantra Scotland’s Chair Henry Graham and ending with a page of coverage on our Learner of the Year Awards.
Our Skills Briefing event brought together relevant industry skills updates and encouraged engagement with industry partners. It highlighted our standards and qualification work together with innovative skills initiatives, including Job Farm, Rural Skills delivery at Alford Academy, work of DYW groups, Crofting Federation Skills Boost and the Our Bright Future Project. As part of the Skills for Farming Group, we supported innovative skills solutions for the agriculture sector, and have an oversight and promotional role in the national roll-out of a pre-apprenticeship.
We contributed to a range of policies, plans and strategies across our sector, including Scottish agriculture; fruit, vegetables and potatoes; farm education; a national rural learning centre proposal; the National Council of Rural Advisers; and the Skills Action Plan for rural areas Scotland. We supported National Occupational Standards reviews; Modern Apprenticeship demand meetings; helped update a framework for trees and timber; discussed challenges about training with the Forestry Contractors Association; and supported development of a new Rural Land Use and Management Level 4 Technical Apprenticeship.
LANTRA Driving investment in learning and skills development By increasing awareness and understanding of the business benefits of investing in learning, skills development and training, our aim was to see an increased investment in learning, and improved business performance across our sector. At the Royal Highland Show 2018, we were joined by Jamie Hepburn MSP, Minister for Employability and Training, who met our Industry Champions. A joint reception promoted our involvement with the Rural Youth Project and saw two champions and Lantra’s project co-ordinator talk about vlogging on rural life. We hosted displays by industry partners and attended various events to increase awareness and understanding of land-based learning and training provision. Our three Chairman’s receptions focussed on the aquaculture and agriculture industries, with new entrants speaking about their career journey and the benefits they have gained from investment in their skills development. We also gained valuable feedback from influential industry representatives and other stakeholders.
We made presentations at “Delivering Apprenticeships in Scotland” and at the National Sheep Association Scotland meeting on skills and training. We had a stand at the New Entrants to Farming Conference, where we promoted skills development opportunities and gained an insight into new entrant challenges and opportunities. With funding from Skills Development Scotland, we are producing two Employer Toolkits for Apprenticeships and Work Placements. One is for agriculture employers, on behalf of the Skills for Farming Group, and the other for other rural employers, which will help businesses access support, make decisions on recruitment and get the most from their team.
We helped develop the Aquaculture Skills Review Action Plan and the Skills Action Plan for Rural Scotland and will actively contribute to delivery of both. Research is being carried out with private businesses on current labour supply and future demand within trees and timber, in partnership with the Forestry Commission and an industry consultant.
3
NEW BUSINESS CASE STUDIES ON THE VALUE OF INVESTMENT IN LEARNING, SKILLS DEVELOPMENT AND TRAINING.
91 BUSINESS ENGAGEMENT MEETINGS AND EVENTS HELPED RAISE OUR PROFILE AND IDENTIFY AREAS THAT WE CAN SUPPORT.
3
WEEKS
3 CONSECUTIVE WEEKS OF IN-DEPTH COVERAGE IN THE SCOTTISH FARMER ABOUT LEARNING AND SKILLS.
91
Modern Apprenticeship trends 2013-19 Our chart shows how many people have undertaken Modern Apprenticeships over the last ten years. Some key points are: The rise in agriculture since 2016-17 shows the effect of work being undertaken by Lantra and partners to identify industry needs, raise the profile of the sector, raise awareness and understanding of work-based learning among employers and promote opportunities to potential new entrants. An increase in Trees and Timber at Level 5 has been due to the support of the Forest and Timber Technologies Industry Leadership Group, Forest Enterprise and key providers on apprenticeships, helping address industry needs.
Aquaculture apprenticeships continue to grow at all levels, reflecting effective industry engagement, business commitment to provision for older new entrants and the importance of work-based progression into more senior roles. After equine providers identified an issue with low financial contribution rates, Lantra helped to secure a significant increase. A significant rise in rural skills has led us to suggest a further review of the related SVQ and apprenticeship framework in 2019-20 with the intention of increasing uptake.
300 250 200 150 100 50 0 2013-14
2014-15
2015-16
2016-17
2017-18
2018-19
Agriculture SCQF 5 and 6
Aquaculture SCQF 5, 7 and 9
Equine SCQF 5 and 6
Game and Wildlife SCQF 5
Horticulture SCQF 5 and 6
Land-based Engineering SCQF 5 and 6
Rural Skills SCQF 5 and 6
Trees and Timber SCQF 5 and 6
LANTRA Planned activity for 2019-20 LAND-BASED AND AQUACULTURE LEARNER OF THE YEAR AWARDS
3
WOMEN IN… ACTIVITIES
CAREER EVENTS (ONE WATER-BASED ONE LAND-BASED)
4
VIDEOS IN NEW FORMAT
2 EMPLOYERS TOOLKITS FOR
SKILLS BRIEFING EVENT
INDUSTRY CONSULTATION EVENTS
3 DEVELOPMENT EVENTS FOR
APPRENTICESHIPS AND WORK PLACEMENTS
ROYAL HIGHLAND SHOW
INDUSTRY CHAMPIONS
TO INFORM SKILLS DEVELOPMENT
19,283
1685
OF LANTRA CAREER VIDEOS OVER THE PAST YEAR
FOLLOWERS
283 FOLLOWERS
259 POSITIVE
MEDIA MENTIONS OF LANTRA’S WORK
1267 PAGE LIKES
Lantra Scotland
Inveralmond Business Centre Auld Bond Road Perth PH1 3FX
www.scotland.lantra.co.uk
Lantra Scotland is supported by the Scottish Government.
Lantra would like to acknowledge continued support from the Scottish Government and all our other partners. Your support is vital to our work with the land-based, aquaculture and environmental consveration sector.