AgriSkills Forum

The AgriSkills Forum was set up in Autumn 2008 to ensure skills issues were being addressed in the agricultural and horticultural industries.

Chaired by Meurig Raymond, NFU Deputy President, the Forum has achieved an unprecedented degree of collaboration between all the major agricultural organisations to address the issue of skills in the sector and how they are recognised.

The vision of the AgriSkills Forum is to achieve a profitable, sustainable industry across the UK, valued by society, that is capable of meeting the demands of agriculture and land management in the 21st century.

AgriSkills Strategy

Following the Secretary of State's commitment to hold a skills round table when he spoke at the National Farmers Union (NFU) AGM, The Rt Hon Hilary Benn MP chaired a meeting with the AgrilSkills Forum at the Royal Agricultural College, Cirencester in April 2009. Discussion covered the current situation relating to the provision and delivery of training and skills development, and what needs to be done to move it forward. At the meeting Hilary Benn, tasked the AgrilSkills Forum to develop an AgriSkills Strategy.

An editorial sub-group chaired by Yorkshire farmer Richard Longthorp and including representatives from the NFU, Lantra and Landex was formed to develop this strategy. It has been produced in consultation with industry organisations and the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra).

The AgriSkills Strategy aims to recognise existing skills, promote skills development and the concept of professionalism as being central to business improvement; promote the industry as a professional and progressive place to work; provide governments with a strong and influential partner to meet the challenges of the future; and support the industry as a priority sector.

AgriSkills Forum Members

Alastair Johnston - Lantra
Amy Proctor - University of Newcastle Upon Tyne
Andrew Clark - National Farmers Union
Andrew Counsell - Duchy College
Bill Graham - FACE
Bob Fiddaman - National Farmers Union
Cathy Meredith - Institute of Agricultural Secretaries and Administrators
Celia Caulcott - BBSRC
Chris Moody - Landex
David Coakley - HSE
David Henley - Bicton College
David Llewellyn - Harper Adams University College
Denis Chamberlain - RASE
George Case - DART training
Helen Brookes - AHDB
Jack Ward - City and Guilds Land Based Services
Jackie Dubery - AHDB
John Alliston - Royal Agricultural College
John Wibberley - Royal Agricultural College Link
Karen Morgan - Defra
Lee Osborne - National Farmers Union
Madge Moore - Lantra
Martin Wilkinson - Harper Adams University College
Meurig Raymond (Chair) - National Farmers Union
Nathan Raines - Poultec
Peter Martin - Lantra
Philip Lowe - University of Newcastle Upon Tyne
Richard Clarke - Institute of Agricultural Management
Richard Cooksley - Institute of Agricultural Management
Richard Longthorp - Farmer and Lantra Council member / Agri-Skills Management Group chair
Sarah Palmer - NFYFC
Richard Soffe - Duchy College
Sian Mercer - RABDF
Tess Howe - AHDB
Tom Salmon - Grower

AgriSkills Management Group

Richard Longthorp (Chair) - AgriSkills Management Group Chair
Bob Fiddaman - National Farmers Union
Denis Chamberlain - RASE
Chris Moody - Landex
Jack Ward - City and Guilds Land Based Services
Felicity Chasney - Defra
Lee Osborne - National Farmers Union
Madge Moore - Lantra
Jackie Dubery - AHDB
Peter Martin - Lantra
Richard Clarke - Institute of Agricultural Management
Tess Howe - BPEX
Helen Brookes - Dairy Co
Alastair Johnston - Lantra
Sarah Palmer - NFYFC