Training fund for women judged success at Royal Highland Show

A new scheme aimed at addressing inequality and providing more opportunities for women in Scottish agriculture has supported more than 750 trainees since its launch last year.

The Women in Agriculture Practical Training Fund has been administered by Lantra Scotland on behalf of the Scottish Government, enabling women to benefit from courses in a range of areas, including tractor and trailer driving, sheepdog handling, lambing, cattle hoof trimming, and chainsaw use.

To mark the success of the scheme and celebrate their achievements, some of the women who received funding attended a reception at Lantra Scotland’s Royal Highland Show stand today (Friday 24 June), attended by Mairi McAllan MSP Minister for Environment, Biodiversity and Land Reform.

Lantra’s Scotland Director, Dr Liz Barron-Majerik MBE MICFor, explained more about the training fund:

“Research into the gender imbalance within agriculture in Scotland suggested that women needed more support to access vocational and practical training. This led to us working with the Scottish Government to create a fund specifically for women, covering costs of up to £500 for those who could show how the practical training would support their business or employment options".

“We are all extremely proud of everyone who has used our women in agriculture fund to develop their skills and talents. By making the sector more accessible, we are ensuring the long-term sustainability and resilience of Scotland’s rural economy”.

Lantra is a charity that works to enhance Scotland’s natural environment and support the rural economy, by increasing the number and diversity of employees in Scotland’s land-based and aquaculture sector and driving their skills development.

As well as promoting the economic and environmental benefits of investing in skills, Lantra helps to inform policies, provision and funding, and promotes rewarding careers across the sector, supported by the Scottish Government.