New Modern Apprenticeship in Rural Skills on offer

A new Modern Apprenticeship in Rural Skills, developed by the sector skills council Lantra, is now available.

A Modern Apprentice (MA) is an employee who is paid a wage and learns from the skills and experience of people around them whilst gaining skills and working towards a nationally recognised Scottish Vocational Qualification.

The Modern Apprenticeship in Rural Skills is for those who want to become estate workers, rangers or conversation officers or progress into estate management and contains Scottish Vocational Qualifications in environmental conservation, estate maintenance and estate management.

Jo-Anne Bryan, Lantra’s Standards and Qualifications Manager said:

"We’re delighted that this new framework is now available for people working in Scotland’s rural environment. We did a great deal of research into what the industry was looking for, firstly with the structure and content of the SVQs, then with the Modern Apprenticeship itself.”

"A number of training providers are planning to offer the SVQs and Modern Apprenticeship framework, including: Argyll College UHI; Cairngorm Outdoor Access Trust; Rural Skills Scotland; SRUC and South Lanarkshire College.

Alison MacDonald, HR Business Partner and lead for Scottish Natural Heritage’s Youth Employment Initiative, said:

"We take pride in the professionalism and dedication of our staff in providing a high quality service to the Scottish people.

"Young people particularly play an important role in that and we are committed to supporting their development under the Scottish Government’s youth employment initiative. One way is through the Modern Apprenticeship scheme. Alongside this, we have a range of opportunities designed to help young people attain rewarding employment.

"We are therefore delighted to have supported the development of the Modern Apprenticeship in Rural Skills and are looking to use this framework to support our own staff."

Sarah-Jane Laing, Director of Policy & Parliamentary Affairs with Scottish Land & Estates, said:

"Building skills for our rural economy is vitally important and a new Modern Apprenticeship for the rural environment could prove to be a significant step forward in building our skills base in this sector.

"Scottish Land & Estates has been at the forefront of developing SVQs in estate maintenance and management for modern integrated estates and those in rural areas who want to undergo training and skills development.

"We are delighted to be working with Lantra, the Scottish Government, Imbewu Scotland, Rural Skills Scotland, Historic Scotland and others to inspire young people to pursue rural careers and to ensure that we deliver career progression for those involved in the sector."

To find out more about the framework of the Modern Apprenticeship, visit http://www.lantra.co.uk/Apprenticeship/modern-apprenticeship-frameworks

Lantra in Scotland is supported by the Scottish Government.