The Institute for Agriculture & Horticulture
Attracting, training and retaining talent for a thriving, productive industry
The need for a workforce with the appropriate skills for productive and
sustainable farming has
been highlighted by a number of industry initiatives over recent years.
As the industry undergoes significant change, farmers and growers are seeking to
ensure their
businesses are profitable and sustainable for the future while addressing the
environmental concerns
of Net Zero and the recovery of landscapes and nature.
At all levels of farming and growing, success will require a sufficient
workforce with the
appropriate skills, so business owners and their employees will need to confirm
and enhance their
existing skills and, in many cases, acquire new ones.
There is evidence of a clear link between farm management, training and
productivity. In the UK,
around a third (32%) of farm managers have undertaken any formal training. In
Germany, which is
ahead of the UK in terms of agricultural productivity, the figure is 68%.
What is being done?
Work is now underway to establish an inpirational new professional body, The
Institute of
Agriculture and Horticulture (TIAH).
TIAH will help support and transform the industry so that it is universally
capable of creating profit
and protecting the planet.
As a professional body and the home of skills for the industry, TIAH will make
it easy for both
employers and employees to look for suitable training options in order to
develop skills, careers and
businesses.
It will set up an independent professional framework of competencies and
qualifications around
job roles and ensure future training is more employer-led.
TIAH is all about collaboration - it will not replace exisiting provision but
will be an umbrella body
for all existing and new education and training providers and work with
partners
to make key
information more accessible.
Who is leading this work?
The APTF Skills Group integrated with the Agri-Hort Skills Leadership Group to
develop the TIAH
concept.
As plans progressed, a TIAH Development Board was established in Autumn 2020,
with
members from a number of indutry bodies and businesses.
In November 2020, Defra commited in its Argricultural Transition Plan to support
the Institute's
develpment. This is enabling the Development Board to progress implementation
plans with an
anticipated launch in 2021.
Find out more
TIAH is keen to work with all levels of the industry as plans for the Institute
progress. If you would
like to be kept up to date with news and opportunities to take part, please
contact info@tiah.org
Learn more about TIAH
Last reviewed: 01 Mar 2021