NFU members are being urged to take advantage of funding available to cover the costs of training.
The Teesdale Branch of the National Farmers’ Union is offering £4,000 towards the cost of agricultural and farm related training courses, including diversified farm activities.
The NFU cash will cover 50 per cent of the cost, up to a maximum of £250, excluding VAT.
Organisers are asking interested trainees who have been NFU members for a minimum of two years, or are direct family members or employees, to register at the NFU Barnard Castle Group office on 01833 638286.
Once eligibility is confirmed by group secretary Peter Waistell, trainees are then able to approach training providers, such as Utass (Upper Teesdale Agricultural Support Services) to check training availability and explore what is available.
Once the agreed training has been completed, the NFU office will require a receipted invoice from the trainer to reimburse the NFU member.
Although Utass is currently offering a limited range of courses due to the effect of coronavirus measures, the charity is normally able to arrange Lantra/National Proficiency & Training Council training and assessments, Northumbria Dry Stone Walling Association taster courses, hedgelaying training, British Wool shearing, car or trailer lessons, quad bike training, paediatric/emergency first aid, Institute of Agricultural Secretaries record keeping, basic IT and many others.
The Middleton-in-Teesdale-based charity has a training opportunities page on its website which gives more details of the type of courses that can be arranged once there are sufficient numbers to run and their
Training co-ordinator Julia Stephenson said she was happy to chat about trainees’ needs and interests and other funding streams they might be eligible for.
She said: “During coronavirus, Utass has put together a free online training page with links to providers of free courses, mostly of short duration, currently available, including courses such as Psychological First Aid and Lloyds Bank Academy (digital skills for any level), Lincs Digital “How to” guides and new from Learning Curve, level 2 Understanding Health & Nutrition.”
For more information, contact Ms Stephenson on 01833 641010 pr email julia@utass.org.
