Project aims to attract the next generation

LandSkills North East is addressing the need to bring new entrants into agriculture over the next decade, as it supports a number of initiatives to develop the next generation of farmers.

Agriculture has seen a massive downturn in new candidates wanting and willing to make it a lifetime career. It is a UK wide issue that was highlighted earlier this year when Lantra's, the Sector Skills Council, latest research identified that 60,000 new entrants are needed over the next decade.

LandSkills North East is managed by Lantra on behalf of the Regional Development Agency, One North East. LandSkills has awarded Northwoods 80 per cent funding under the Rural Development Programme for England (RDPE).

LandSkills North East project manager, Peter Nailon, said: "Lantra's Skills Assessment research emphasised the need to draw new faces into the industry. Encouraging new entrants to develop a career in agriculture is vital if we are to keep the industry alive and we are pleased that LandSkills North East is already addressing this issue by supporting a number of new projects in the region."

The one year pilot Upland Farming Traineeship offers places for eight people to learn upland farming skills on 12 local hill farms.

Practical training activities will be delivered on the participating farms, where the tasks can be taught and developed and experience passed on with support from Northumberland College, who will oversee the assessment of the work-based diploma in agriculture.

The new entrant initiatives will begin this month and are available to young people wishing to develop a career in agriculture and to those with no industry background.

To find out more and to apply to be a part of the new entrant projects visit www.lantra.co.uk/LandSkillsNorthEast/NewEntrants or call 0845 2788 800.