Lantra has published new research calling for a more coordinated and consistent approach to continuing professional development (CPD) across the UK and Ireland’s land-based sector.
The report, Building a More Coherent Approach to CPD in the Land-Based Sector, examines how CPD is currently embedded across agriculture and the wider land-based industries through professional standards, regulation, market requirements and public funding schemes.
The research finds that while CPD is already an established feature of many parts of the sector, the overall system is often applied inconsistently and can be difficult for individuals and businesses to navigate.
The report explores how skills development is linked to agri-food market requirements and public agricultural payments across the UK and Ireland, identifying opportunities to better align training, policy and business needs.
A more coherent and accessible CPD framework could help support workforce development while strengthening the sector’s productivity, resilience and sustainability at a time of significant change.
Daisy Hooper, Director of Policy, Research, and External Relations, said: “The land-based sector is being asked to deliver more than ever before, from improving productivity and adopting new technologies to meeting environmental and sustainability goals. As the pace of change accelerates, workforce capability will be critical to the sector’s success.
Our latest research shows that CPD is already well established across many parts of the sector, but the overall system is often fragmented and difficult to navigate – especially in England. There is an opportunity to create a more coherent approach that better connects skills, policy, funding and business needs.
The priority is not just more training but making skills development relevant, accessible and valued. By creating clearer pathways and stronger incentives to invest in skills we can help individuals and businesses adapt, thrive and build a more resilient and sustainable sector.”
The research forms part of Lantra’s wider programme of work to understand current and future skills needs across the land-based and environmental sector, helping inform policy, support workforce development and raise the profile of careers and skills across the industry.
