LANTRA supports career development in the sector with new website
With UK unemployment at its lowest level since 1974 and businesses across many sectors desperately competing to attract the staff they need, leading land-based and environmental skills charity Lantra has taken on the challenge to help attract new talent, and retain existing expertise in the sector, with the launch of its NEW website.
Lantra wound down the provision of a careers information service in 2014, when central Government funding was cut, but now it’s using its own cash flow to re-establish its position as a trusted source for career information across a wide range of land-based industries.
The new website aims to help visitors navigate easily by answering three key questions…
- What jobs could I do and what do they involve?
- What training, qualifications and experience will I need?
- Where can I get the training and qualifications I need?
The website offers details of more than 250 job roles across 12 industries with a selection of videos and case studies explaining what each job involves.
One misconception the sector faces is the view that the majority of jobs available are low-skilled, low paid and offer little opportunity to progress. Lantra will highlight the amazing new technologies and innovative working practices that are springing up in many industries, from GPS and drones to robotics and precision farming. All require higher levels of technical skills as well as the ability to understand data, solve complex problems and lead increasingly diverse teams.
Lantra’s recently appointed Chair of Trustees, David Llewelyn comments:
“We know that the land-based sector is a great place to work with hundreds of varied roles, but its sheer scale has meant finding ‘joined up’ information all in one place has been a challenge.
“We’re confident the new website will provide convenient, relevant and accessible information for people wanting to start a career in the great outdoors, and for those already working in the sector who want to progress their career to the next level.”
All job roles on the website are linked to a range of relevant qualifications and training. These can be university or college qualifications, apprenticeships, vocational short-courses, or e-learning. The new website already has more than 2,500 courses listed so people can find out more including where and when they are available.
James Broadhouse (aka Jimmy the Mower), Groundsman & Social Media Influencer adds:
“The land-based sector has hundreds of fascinating roles and is a great place to work and establish a worthwhile career path regardless of whether you want to tackle the latest high end tech roles or if you’re happy doing something more traditional.”
As a not-for-profit organisation, with a long history of supporting land-based industries, Lantra is uniquely placed to provide objective information on careers opportunities and associated training and, whilst the provision of careers advice is not part of their remit, they are confident the wealth of information provided will help signpost individuals on a career path whatever their interests or aspirations.
Dawne Middleton, National Trust Gardener, Croome, Worcester, says:
“After a long and successful career in marketing I took the brave decision to jump and pursue the career I’ve always dreamed of in 2016.
“Fast forward six years and I’m busy working as a gardener for the National Trust. My role involves improving the presentation of the garden to re-create the 6th Earl’s vision of Croome, this involves pruning, planting and managing the diverse garden landscape using my horticultural knowledge, and I’ve never been happier.
“Getting the necessary training and RHS qualifications required lots of hard work and lots of studying. Sometimes finding out who was the right person to contact, or which was the most appropriate qualification wasn’t straightforward, so Lantra’s new website resource would’ve been invaluable.”
For more information contact marketing@lantra.co.uk or call 02476 696 996