A new training programme to exploit the opportunities and meet the challenges that will be faced as the industry evolves is targeted at farmers and farm mangers looking to move their businesses forward.
Developed by the Institute of Agricultural Management, the Farm Management Skills Programme covers a wide range of areas and will help delegates widen their skill set.
“The UK farming industry is going to undergo significant changes as a result of globalisation, developing consumer preferences and the environment among other influences,” comments Victoria Bywater, Director of the Institute of Agricultural Management. “A recurring theme at the recent National Farm Management conference in London was that businesses who succeed moving forward will have to acquire new skills and broaden their horizons.
“Our programme sets out to provide a structured series of modules which will help farmers and farm managers become better business managers and leads to delegates being entitled to apply for the Professional Membership grade of the Institute.”
The programme is made up of seven modules covering Personal development including staff management, Influencing and negotiation, commercial awareness, risk management, data and technology, agreements and finance. Hosted at a number of locations, each module is delivered by well-known experts in the subject.
“The focus is strongly on personal and business skills because farm businesses will need to operate in different ways as the industry develops. Data and technologies will open doors to new ways of growing crops and rearing animals while the way producers interact with their markets will create new opportunities. People management will also become increasing important as successful businesses build and maintain skilled teams.
“Delegates following the Farm Skills Programme can expect to be challenged and to become better equipped to run a successful business,” Victoria suggests.
For more details of the programme and the individual modules, go to www.iagrm.org.uk/eventsor call 01275-843828.
