Help ‘cultivate’ our new skills and careers service

David Fursdon, TIAH's Chair explains that the professional body aims to support people and businesses to fulfil their potential and help the industry thrive. 

“Agriculture and horticulture are undergoing huge changes. As farmers and growers aim to ensure their businesses are profitable and environmentally sustainable, it’s essential that the industry has a workforce that's fit for the future,” he says.  

“Continued professional development (CPD) will therefore be key if individuals and businesses are to enhance their existing skills, and in many cases, acquire new ones to help them successfully navigate the changing landscape. However, the industry’s current fragmented approach to skills and training needs to change.” 

Online service

In light of this, TIAH is developing an online service that will bring together existing and new training opportunities from across the industry.  

“We’re not looking to replace what’s already in existence,” notes David. “Instead, we’re looking to work closely with our partners across the industry to bring everything together into one central hub. The aim is that we’ll make skills and career development more accessible to all,” he adds.  

“The system will sign-post users to relevant training courses and information, depending on their aspirations. This will hopefully make everyone’s life easier, in terms of understanding what skills are needed for progression, and where they can be acquired.” 

David highlights that the online service will also provide independent records and collate personal achievements. “Where required, this information can be used to demonstrate compliance and will also help to simplify audits and record keeping across the industry.” 

Pilot scheme

Before making the online service available to the wider industry in 2023, TIAH is launching a pilot scheme to give farmers and growers the opportunity to help ‘cultivate’ the system in its final stages.  

“While there's a clear need for such a service, we want to ensure that it’s intuitive to use and that the information available supports professional development in a simple yet practical way,” explains David.  

“We’re therefore looking to recruit active farmers and growers from across England to become ‘TIAH Cultivators’, who can help us test the system this summer.” 

By signing up to take part in the pilot scheme, individuals will have the unique opportunity to shape the future of agricultural and horticultural skills and careers services, while helping to safeguard the future of the industry. 

“All that we ask of our ‘TIAH Cultivators’ is a small-time commitment – approximately 20 minutes every two weeks – to test, review and feedback on various elements of the platform. In return, participants will be entered into a monthly prize draw,” says David.  

Stephen Jacob, BASIS Chief Executive Officer, encourages farmers and growers to get involved in the pilot scheme.  

“TIAH wants to ensure that its products and services are built for farmers and growers, by farmers and growers, and this is your chance to have your say and make a difference.”