Over 250 farm family members take advantage of Training Grants of up to £1,000!

The Skills Training element of the Farm Family Options programme opened on 19th November 2009, with over 250 farm family members having applied for grant assistance to date. Such support has covered a wide range of courses, including: agricultural related courses (Livestock Scanning, Foot Trimming, DIY Artificial Insemination); computer related subjects (CLAIT, ECDL, Business Professional Text Processing, Computerised Accounting and Bookkeeping), as well as a variety of other disciplines (e.g. Children's Learning and Development, Preparing to Teach in the Lifelong Learning Sector, Welding, Cookery, LGV - tractor and trailer etc.).

A £1,000 training grant, as well as up to £250 of a training allowance, is available per farm family member. Eligible family members include the Farm Business ID Holder, his or her spouse/partner, and their children over the age of 17 years old. There is currently no limit on the number of farm family members that can apply.

Provided a course is not above NVQ Level 3, is not delivered by CAFRE, and is not undertaken as a hobby it may be eligible. The training provider must be able to provide accreditation or certification of competence upon completion of the course, before the grant would be payable. Grants of 70% of total course costs (including examination/test fees) are available for all eligible courses except driving/vehicle related courses which are fundable at a 40% support rate.

This funding opportunity is designed to help farm family members undertake training at a level suitable to their needs. If a basic ICT, SAGE accounts or trade related course will help you improve on-farm efficiency or help you take the first step in developing your skills to diversify your current business or work off-farm, then give us a call on 0845 026 7534 to find out more.

Farm Family Options is extending its closing date for applications to 31st March 2011, with all eligible courses to be completed by 30th June 2011.

For further information on training grants and/or mentoring support under the programme, please contact the Farm Family Options team on:

  • 0845 026 7534 or e-mail options@countrysiderural.co.uk.

or come along to one of the Information Evenings being held throughout Northern Ireland from 15th February to 3rd March. For full details log on to our website:

  • www.countrysiderural.co.uk

Farm Family Options is funded by the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (DARD) and the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD) as part of the Northern Ireland Rural Development Programme 2007-2013, and is jointly delivered by the Northern Ireland Rural Development Council and Countryside Services Ltd.

Note to editors:

  • Countryside Services Ltd., AI Services Ltd. and the Northern Ireland Rural Development Council formed the Countryside Agri-Rural Partnership to deliver five measures of Axis 1 of the Northern Ireland Rural Development Programme. These five measures include:
    • Benchmarking
    • Farm Family Options
    • Farm Modernisation
    • Focus Farms
    • Supply Chain Development
  • Countryside Services Ltd., a farmer owned organisation, provides a range of information, commercial and professional services to the rural community.
  • RDC is an independent organisation working to promote positive and sustainable change, helping to develop and regenerate rural areas for the better.