Hartpury at heart of new initiative aimed at giving Britain a brighter farming future

The first national college for the land-based sector has been launched to ensure that young people setting out on their careers have the skills, knowledge and practical experience to thrive in this ever-changing and increasingly demanding sector.

The National Land-based College (NLBC) will create a hub for leading colleges, universities and industry experts to collaborate on dynamic new courses. These will be delivered through colleges, a new online platform and by industry experts in their workplaces.

In partnership with the awarding body, City and Guilds, NLBC’s broad remit will cover a vast range of careers, from agriculture and game-keeping to equine studies and landscaping. Qualifications will range from college courses up to full degrees.

Hartpury offers a wide range of College level land-based qualifications and apprenticeships. These include agriculture, gamekeeping, farm mechanisation, land-based technology, animal management and sciences and horse management (equitation and business).

Hartpury University Centre is also launching an exciting new Applied Agriculture degree course starting in September 2017, which will run alongside Foundation and Honours degree and postgraduate programmes across equine, sport and animal studies. There’s more information at www.hartpury.ac.uk

Hartpury Principal, Russell Marchant, who is on the board of directors for the new NLBC, said: “At Hartpury, we aim to provide the agricultural, equine and allied industries with graduates who not only have excellent theoretical knowledge and practical skills, but also high standards and an understanding of the commercial aspects of their industry.

“That means working very closely with industry when we are designing our courses but also continually learning from best practice to enhance them so that students leave us able to make a real difference to the future of the land-based industry in the UK. That’s why we’re delighted to be playing such leading role in the new National Land-based College, whose values and ambitions match so closely with our own.”

George Eustice, Minister for Farming, Food and Marine Environment, who visited Hartpury earlier this year to launch a new Biosecurity Hub, added: “We are very ambitious for the agricultural sector’s future and want to see it become a leading career destination for high-flying students, entrepreneurs and new entrants. I am delighted to see the National Land Based College come to fruition.”

Leigh Morris, CEO of NLBC, said: “Working for the first time at a coordinated national level we can build a pool of resources drawn from the very best minds in education and industry. Collaboratively we will promote land based careers, raise the standard of college courses and create cutting edge training for those already employed.”