Moor Skills
The Dartmoor Hill Farm Project has facilitated an apprenticeship scheme for Dartmoor farms which started in October 2006. The scheme is designed to train a new group of Dartmoor farmers in the unique skills of farming the moor.
Dartmoor farmers have found that as the economic pressures on moorland farming have gripped the numbers of farm workers have been constrained. But this is not good for the farm businesses in the long term, the farmers welfare or the sustained future of farming on Dartmoor. Moorland farming skills are very specific; whether it is the essential skills of shepherding stock on unfenced moorland or burning heather to rejuvenate upland heaths. In order to sustain the long term well being of our moorland environment these skills must be maintained.
To combat this decline in labour force a partnership of statutory agencies and farmers have established this new ‘Moor Skills’ scheme. Three students are completing a National Vocational Qualification (NVQ) in Livestock Production through Duchy College. Using a cluster farm concept the students spend a few weeks on each of the six farms attending study blocks in-between.
The scheme ensures that the students will be fully rounded on all aspects of moorland farming by holding specific training days with other groups such as the Military of Defence, National Park Ranger Service and Devon Rural Skills Trust.
Training Providers
Devon YFC
For details of courses available to Devon Young Farmers please call Nick at Devon Young Farmers County Office on 01392 272189.
British Wool Marketing Training Courses
To find out more about the shearing courses on offer look at: www.britishwool.org.uk (external link, opens new window)
Alison Gould – Tel: 01392 477944 Email. bwmb@devonyfc.co.uk
Bicton College
Bicton College, East Budleigh, Budleigh Salterton, Devon, EX9 7BY www.bicton.ac.uk (external link, opens new window)
Tel: 01395 562400
Duchy College
Duchy College, Stoke Climsland, Callington, Cornwall, PL17 8PB www.duchy.ac.uk/stoke (external link, opens new window)
Tel: 01579 372233
Duchy College Rural Business School
The Rural Business School organise a range of courses and training activities, e mail them for their latest events programme.
Duchy College, Stoke Climsland, Callington, Cornwall. PL17 8PB. www.duchy.ac.uk/rbs Tel. 0845 458 7485 E mail. rbs@duchy.ac.uk
Agri-BIP
To find out more about the wide variety of training that Agri-Bip can provide www.bipwestdevon.biz (external link, opens new window) – 0800 592872
Field & Forest Training
Woodland related training courses delivered mostly in the North Devon area. Contact Kathy Lewington Tel. 01409 240 009 E. Mail. fieldforest-training@hotmail.com www.southwestforest.org.uk/trainingbestpractice.html
South West Food & Drink Skills Network
A wide range of courses in business development, employee training and skills, food safety, health and safety ICT etc.
South West Food and Drink Skills Network, Darts Farm Village, Topsham, Exeter, Devon, EX3 0QH. Tel. 01392 878 322. www.swfoodanddrinkskills.co.uk
Business Link South West
Business Link offer a range of training courses. Tel. 0845 600 9006 or www.businesslink.gov.uk
