Free workshops for farmers and smallholders in Cornwall (From Smallholder)

Free workshops for farmers and smallholders in Cornwall

12:10pm Thursday 11th March 2010 in

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If you run a farm business based in Cornwall or the Isles of Scilly, then you could access a series of FREE evening workshops and develop new skills to help move your business forward.

After a successful first year in helping hundreds of Cornish employers develop their skills, Business Forward has announced a new series of free workshops to take place throughout April. The workshops will focus on agricultural employment matters, health and safety aspects of farming businesses, farm apprenticeships and how to create a website for your business in 20 minutes.

Specialist Skills Broker, Verity Biddick, said: “In the first twelve months of the programme we have held a number of successful workshops across the County providing information to farmers on capital grant funding for farm investment projects, renewable energy schemes and supporting employers and employees working to develop their marketing and business management skills. We are therefore pleased to announce a new series of funded workshops to help even more businesses and sustain diversified aspects of Cornish farm businesses.”

Agricultural employment law specialist, Kate Gardner, alongside specialist in Agricultural Regulation, Jamie Foster, and Duchy College’s Operations Manager, Chris Shepherd, will discuss the latest developments in agricultural employment matters, health and safety aspects of farming businesses and the benefits of farm apprenticeships. Businesses of every type and size need to be found online. The ‘create a website for your business in 20 minutes, for free!’ workshop, delivered by Deborah Turner, BA (Hons) MIFL, AgriBIP, will show you how to use a simple online tool to create your first website and update your site from any computer, for free - no technical knowledge needed.

As well as free business development workshops Business Forward can help you by funding a range of business management qualifications, as well as provide you with a free business mentor to support you at your place of work. One of the businesses to already reap the benefits of funded workshops and qualifications from Business Forward include Tom and Julie Tripp, who manage over 100 llamas at Llama Land near Truro. Tom and Julie have both completed level 2 NVQ qualifications funded by the Business Forward programme to help them meet their future business goals for the farm. Julie said: “We really feel that Business Forward provided the funding and business support that we needed to move to the next stage of our business development.”

Available until December 2010, the European Social Fund project has successfully delivered training and funded qualifications to hundreds of Cornish businesses since it began in January 2009. To reserve your place contact Specialist Skills Broker, Verity Biddick MRICS FAAV, on 01637 889250 / 07867 908210 or email verity.biddick@lantra.co.uk alternatively visit www.businessforward.org.uk.