Agronomists, fa
rmers and growers can benefit from a new training academy which will help keep people working in agricultural businesses of all sizes up to date with the latest industry technologies and techniques.
Officially launching today at Cereals, the Agri-tech Register and Training for Innovation and Skills (ARTIS) academy is unlike other training programmes currently available.
The training is industry led and solely based upon the latest innovative agricultural and horticultural research outcomes. Each course is built to ensure that farmers, growers and agronomists can easily apply the most productive methods to their everyday operations to boost productivity and profitability.
The courses within the ARTIS academy will cover areas such as; Soils and Water, Crop Protection, Nutrient Management, New Farming Systems and Optimising Production.
Sir Jim Paice, MP and Chair of the ARTIS Steering Board commented: “ARTIS offers quality training courses which are based on the latest industry research – something which will add value to any farmer, grower or manager looking to maximise efficiency and increase productivity.”
Each of the trainers chosen to deliver ARTIS courses will be carefully selected based on their knowledge and expertise in the areas identified by the industry research outcomes.
Dr Juno McKee ARTIS Course Co-ordinator says: “We believe that the key to a successful future is making sure that employees have access to the latest thinking and methods which they can then put into practice.
“This will provide business owners with the confidence that their employees are working efficiently and have the best knowledge to help grow their business.
“We are delighted to launch ARTIS on the NIAB stand at the 2014 Cereals event. This will give people the opportunity to learn more about the training programme and what benefit this will have to their business.
“We would encourage any arable, salad, fruit and vegetable farmers and growers attending the Cereals event to come over to stand G-813 to find out more.”
Upcoming ARTIS courses include
(soil type of demonstration pit at each venue is given in italics):
- Cambridge - 18th June
Highfield Barn, Barway, Cambridgeshire CB7 5TZ
Delivered by Paul Newell-Price, Senior Research Scientist at ADAS UK Ltd.
(2 pits: clay loam; peat over clay)
- Essex - 25th June
Writtle College Rural Business Centre, Chelmsford, Essex CM1 3RP
Delivered by Mel Holloway, Senior Consultant at ADAS UK Ltd. (Clay loam)
- Yorkshire - 26th June
Askham Bryan College, York YO23 3FR
(with afternoon in-field session at a nearby site)
Delivered by Paul Newell-Price, Senior Research Scientist at ADAS UK Ltd. (Sandy clay loam over limestone)
- Gloucestershire - 30th June
Rural Innovation Centre, RAU, Cirencester GL7 6JS
Delivered by Ken Smith, Principal Research Scientist at ADAS UK Ltd. (Clay)
Cost: £200 excluding VAT
Places can be booked at www.artistraining.com or by contacting Douglas Hobbs on 01223 342421 or Victoria Beard on 01223 342416
ENDS
Notes to editors:
About ARTIS
ARTIS is being officially launched at the 2014 Cereals event – the leading technical event for the arable industry.
ARTIS training will equip employees with the most up to date skills and knowledge to implement changes in their business, rather than provide an official qualification.
Anyone who feels qualified and eligible to become an accredited ARTIS trainer should contact juno.mckee [at] niab.com (Juno McKee)
For more information about the ARTIS training programme and for details about specific courses, please visit www.artistraining.com
ARTIS is supported by specialists from:
NIAB - a major UK centre for plant science, crop evaluation and agronomy. With an internationally recognised reputation in independent research and information and knowledge transfer, NIAB manages the ARTIS training programme.
Lantra - the Sector Skills Council for the Environmental and Landbased Sector. We develop training products and services that ensure the sector has a world class, highly skilled workforce. Lantra leads on employer engagement, accreditation and quality assurance for the ARTIS training programme.
G’s Growers Ltd - an independent Producer Organisation comprising more than 20 grower members in the UK and Spain. By working together G’s Growers members are able to share expertise, experience and knowledge, and are proud to be involved in the ARTIS programme management.
East Malling Research - a major organisation in the UK for research on horticultural crops and plants and their interactions with the environment.
UKCES – the UK Commission for Employment and Skills is a publicly funded, industry led organisation providing strategic leadership on skills and employment issues in the four home nations of the UK.