Training

CROFT INDUCTION COURSE

A ten session induction course designed for new entrants, recent assignees, aspirant crofters and anyone wishing to know more about crofting today.

This course was first devised by the Scottish Crofters Union (now renamed Scottish Crofting Federation) and endorsed by the Crofters Commission. The course has proved to be very popular and acclaimed by past students and tutors alike. It is delivered by the Scottish Crofting Federation a founder member of the "Highlands and Islands Crofter and Small Landholders Training Pannel".  The panel is a partnership arrangement comprising Forestry Commission Scotland, Highland Council, Highlands and Islands Enterprise, Lantra (Sector Skills Council for Land Based Industries), Scottish Agricultural College, Scottish Crofting Federation and Scottish Natural Heritage.

Course tutors are drawn from organisations having statutory and advisory responsibilities in crofting, environment or small business. There is no assumption made of prior knowledge and participants will be led from the most basic level to a point that gives a broad, informed and up to date view of present day crofting.

Each student will be provided with supporting handouts, brochures/leaflets and recommendations for further reading, help and advice. Students are awarded a certificate for successfully complete this course.

Every effort will be made to keep to the published programme and all sessions will be covered. However, last minute session changes may occur from time to time.

The ‘Crofting Induction’ courses are part-time and classroom based. They take place at various locations throughout the Highlands and Islands during the winter months, usually January through to March.  Each course consists of ten week-day evening sessions of two hours each week.

The cost of the course is in line with the local authority scale of charges prevailing at the time, including ‘age concessions’ or ‘free of charge’ for individuals qualifying for benefits.  For more detailed information on the session contents please click here to download sysnopsis in pdf.

For further information please contact John Bannister, SCF Training Manager,

by e-mail:

Or telephone SCF HQ on 01599 566 365 or e-mail: anytime.

Venues for the Crofting Induction Courses 2010

The details for the winter season (January – March) 2010 courses have still to be announced, please watch this space for further details. 

Please note that start times are currently provisional due to the weather conditions.  Please check with the Course Director for conformation.

HIGHLANDS AND ISLANDS CROFTERS AND SMALL LANDHOLDERS TRAINING PROGRAMME

Introduction. Launched in September 2007 this is a training programme specifically designed for the crofter or small landholder. The characteristically small scale of this sector of agriculture and environment is acknowledged throughout all aspects of the training that will be on offer. This does not mean however that the instruction and qualifications gained under this programme will be any less significant, they are in fact both comparable and compatible with any other similar occupational training scheme.

Qualifications. The programme has three ascending levels of attainment divided into four units covering: Livestock; Land Management; Environment; Forestry and / or Horticulture. The trainee may choose any one or a combination of units each of which heads a menu of related course modules. Trainees may also claim a level of proficiency gained through their own learning experience or other relevant training successfully completed. The programme’s ‘Awards Body’ is responsible for verification and granting awards that are gained under this programme, see below.

Training Panel. The function of the ‘Training Panel’ is to devise a suitable programme of training. It comprises training representatives drawn from organisations (both government and non-government) having and undertaking statutory or other duties associated with each of the programme’s units, thus; Forestry Commission Scotland, Highlands and Islands Enterprise, Lantra (Sector Skills Council), Scottish Agricultural Colleges, Scottish Crofting Foundation and Scottish Natural Heritage have come together to form this ‘Lead Body’.  Neither the Lead Body nor Awards Body can deliver courses in thier own right.  Independent training providers, registered under this programme, deliver the courses listed.

Contact and enquiries about the programme can be made free and without obligation through:

Scottish Crofting Federation
Training Secretariat
Lochalsh Business Park,
Auchtertyre,
Kyle of Lochalsh
IV40 8EG

Tel. 01599 566365

Email:

By calling the Scottish Crofting Federation you can be put in contact with a training advisor for an informal discussion about your specific training needs. We very much hope you will do this and we look forward to hearing from you, by telephone or email.

For more information about training courses in Scotland, including the Crofting Training Programme, visit www.lantra.co.uk/Scotland