The Scottish Government

Option 1 - Skills development (Training)

What this is about

The aim of this option is to improve the skills within agriculture and forestry, promote a greater range of activities and encourage the development of financially viable, competitive and environmentally sustainable land based businesses.

What this will achieve

This option will support training that improves business competitiveness, facilitates restructuring and diversification and enhances land management skills to deliver environmental and other benefits.

What you must do

The training course you undertake must relate to one of the following aspects:

• Business skills
• Marketing
• Managing people
• Opportunities to expand into other activities (for example training for an HGV licence to move into road haulage)
• Technical skills

We will not support the following training activities:

• courses that form part of normal programmes or systems of agricultural or forestry education at secondary or higher levels
• training course required for or leading to a certificate, licence, diploma or other qualification that are required by law to carry out your basic work activities (such as crop spraying courses, tractor driving courses, chainsaw courses for forestry workers).
• Courses where you can get financial support from another public source, including EU funding

The training can be delivered in various ways:

• short training courses delivered away from the workplace at a local agricultural or other college, or at a hired venue
• training delivered in the workplace
• on-line training courses

Who can apply

Land managers (including farmers, crofters and foresters).

How to apply

Complete Section 4 of the LMO application form using the code LMOTRA. The amount applied for should be an estimate of 75% of the cost of training but the claim will be limited to the amount on the application.

Eligibility criteria

Land managers (including farmers, crofters and foresters) or an employee, including an immediate family member who is actively involved in the business. People receiving training must be 16 years of age or older.

A training provider recognised by Lantra - the Sector Skills Council for environmental and land based industries - must deliver the training. Agricultural and other colleges offer a wide selection of eligible training courses, as do other training providers. Information about relevant courses should be obtained directly from the training providers in the first instance. There are some examples of courses listed below.

What costs could be supported

We will pay 75% for the actual cost of one or more training course (net of VAT, unless the business is NOT registered for VAT) up to a maximum of £500 (or lower if your available allowance is less) per scheme year.

Inspections/Verification

You must obtain and retain for inspection receipts showing the course provider, type of course and the cost.

Evidence

We will send you a claim form which you must submit along with the supporting documentation by 31 August of the year following application. The evidence you provide must include a detailed receipted invoice from your training provider which shows the cost of the courses. The name of the training provider and title of the course should be shown on the invoice as we will check this to make sure the course is eligible.

Skills Development - Examples of Suitable Training Courses