LandSkills: East Midlands

We're delighted to confirm that we have been awarded continuation funding for the provision of grant-aided training under the LandSkills East Midlands programme, running through to the end of 2011. We've organised a number of training opportunities, details of which are below, and we are also able to contribute towards the cost of specialist technical training such as advanced chainsaw courses and forest machine operator certificates.

Climate change continues to represent a significant threat - and opportunity - for foresters and woodland owners, in recognition of which we have organised a one day seminar with leading experts from around the country. The advent of the Renewable Heat Incentive and tough new CO2 targets, as announced in the UK’s fourth ’carbon budget’, are fantastic opportunities for the growth of the local woodfuel market and the ignite courses have been designed to give foresters and those interested in supplying and using woodfuel a solid background and introduction to the sector.

If you have a specific course in mind or want to book on any of the following events please contact Erica Spencer on 0845 226 2890 or erica.spencer@ruraldevelopment.org.uk.

Anybody can attend these courses but grant aid is only available to people who are part of a business, organisation or social enterprise which is dependant on forestry or utilises any woodland product. Other eligibility criteria do apply, which will be assessed on an individual basis upon application.

SCHEDULED COURSES

ignite Woodfuel Production and Supply. The flagship, 3 day accredited course in woodfuel production and supply. This course will give anyone with an interest in woodfuel production, supply and end use a solid background to the methods, processes, technologies and economics behind woodfuel production and supply. 5th – 7th July 2011 @ Stephenson College, Coalville, Leicestershire. Price (funded*/unfunded**): £120/£400

ignite Firewood Production and Supply. This course is a must for all firewood producers. It provides participants with a background to firewood production and supply drawing on real market economics and covers the technical aspects of producing and delivering firewood as well as quality control. 14th July 2011 @ The Old Barn Hotel, Marston, Lincolnshire. Price (funded*/unfunded**): £35/£115

Forestry and Climate Change Seminar. The purpose of the seminar is to promote the sharing of knowledge and experience to enable forestry and timber businesses to better plan for and adapt to the challenges and opportunities of climate change. National experts from research, policy and industry will present a variety of topics from tree health to timber sourcing. The setting at Staunton Harold has been selected because of the Estate’s own forest management and timber production background within the context of the National Forest. 27th July 2011@ Staunton Harold, Ashby de la Zouch, Leicestershire. Price (funded*/unfunded**): £10/£30

ignite Woodfuel Quality Standards. If you produce firewood, woodchips or pellets as a fuel or are considering using them, this course is a must. It introduces the latest standard for solid biofuels in use in the UK, provides the methodology for sampling fuel and covers quality assurance processes. The course involves a practical on how to sample fuel products accurately. 22nd September 2011 @ Portland College, Newark on Trent, Nottinghamshire. Price (funded*/unfunded**): £35/£115

ignite Managing Woods for Woodfuel. Developed by foresters with practical hands on knowledge of woodland management and woodfuel production and supply, this course provides on introduction to managing woodlands for woodfuel production. It provides an introduction to crop assessment and measurement and covers the methods of timber harvesting in use today and the suitability of these for different woodland types and the economics of timber harvesting and woodfuel production at the farm and estate level. 10th November 2011 @ Rosliston Forestry Centre, Swadlincote, Derbyshire. Price (funded*/unfunded**): £35/£115

*Cost (ex VAT) of course with LandSkills funding** Cost (ex VAT) of course without Landskills funding. Contact Erica or see the documents below for eligibility. Enrolment forms and eligiblity criteria are linked below so you can make sure you are eligible for the funding. If you have any questions, please get in touch - we would rather discuss your eligibility than leave you guessing!