Cymraeg
TRAINEESHIPS
On-farm traineeships, where new entrants work alongside an experienced farmer, grower or forester for one or two seasons, are an important entry route into land-based work and play the role of an informal apprenticeship for many people.
We are working with members offering traineeships to improve the coherence of training provided and to group members in the same area together to provide collective delivery of theoretical elements to organise farm visits and exchanges. By doing this we aim to improve the training experience and ensure that the quality of training is high.
We are working with partners including the Soil Association and Organic Growers Alliance on a jointly endorsed curriculum for horticulture traineeships. This will help members to be clear about the knowledge and skills a trainee needs to develop, and will give trainees an overview of what they can expect to cover.
Our guide to setting up an on-farm traineeship can be found here.
We have also developed a suggested curriculum for what you can expect to cover during a traineeship in horticulture. Our online version with links to resources for self-directed learning can be found here (English) and here (Cymraeg) and a printable version here (English) and here (Cymraeg). We’ve jointly developed this resource with the Organic Growers Alliance and Soil Association, with funding from Resilient Green Spaces.
South West Traineeship Pilot
We are developing an agroecology curriculum and programme of horticultural training in the South West of England. We have funding for a two year pilot, and will be running a programme in the summer of 2021 and 2022.
Why should your farm take part?
The pilot programme is free and as a farm hosting a trainee, you will participate in online sessions led by Angela Raffle and Nikki Yoxall, experts in adult education and training to help build your confidence and skills as a trainer.
What’s in it for your trainees?
Six training days will be available in the 2021 season. These will cover the roots of the food sovereignty movement and practical topics such as soil science and seed saving. Trainees will get to meet each other, get connected and access support in the development of their future plans.
For more info contact lucy.saville@staging.landworkersalliance.org.uk
Wales Future Farmers Training Network
For information about the 2022 Programme, please see the Welsh and English documents.
LWA has been working with Lantra to pilot a network for on-farm trainees working in Welsh horticulture. We aim to teach key skills, discuss overcoming barriers to being a grower and to connect trainees to the wider agroecological movement, giving the confidence and connections they need to continue in horticulture. Through dedicated teaching time and input from both new and more established growers, the network aims to build upon trainees’ on-farm learning, and encourage more growers to take on trainees.
The pilot is due to finish at the end of this season and we are currently looking into ways to continue the network.
If you are a trainee or a grower who hosts trainees based in Wales, and would like to get involved in the network, email rhian.williams@
The network is part of the Resilient Green Spaces partnership, a £1.27m project led by Social Farms & Gardens to pilot alternative re-localised food systems using communities and their green spaces as the driving force for change across Wales until June 2023.