MAJOR ORGANIC TRAINING PROGRAMME
FOR THE WEST

  February 2003

The organic sector in the west received a major boost this month with the announcement of the awarding of a significant training grant under the ‘Skillnets Programme’ to the Western Organic Network.

Skillnets was set up in 1998 by the Department of Trade and Industry to mobilise and support groups of enterprises to develop strategic answers to their joint training needs by establishing ‘Training Networks’.

The major partners in the Western Organic Network are:

  •  The Organic Centre, Rossinver

·        Leitrim Organic Farmers Co-op

·        North West Organic Producers Co-op (Donegal/Derry/Tyrone)

·        Western Organic Group (Roscommon)

This programme is a spin-off of the Western Organic Strategic Initiative (WOSI), which was developed by the group and facilitated by the Western Development Commission.

Skillnets has awarded the Network a grant of €20,000 to develop a training programme and extend and strengthen the organic network in the seven western counties and cross-border. The key aims and objectives of the programme are:

·        To increase the level of relevant training, education and advice available to organic producers covering areas such as animal husbandry, horticulture, quality, food safety, tracability and business skills.

·        To encourage new entrants into the sector and provide supports to ease their entry.

·        To significantly increase the level of production and improve the quality of organic produce.

·        To improve the marketing of organic produce

·        To develop added-value products

The training programme has to be developed within six weeks and submitted to Skillnets for approval. To meet this deadline the Western Organic Network have engaged a highly experienced firm of consultants, BMS Management Systems of Clonmel, to assist with its preparation. Through a process of widespread consultation and Focus Groups a ‘Training Needs Analyses’ will be conducted. This process will ensure that the actual training needs of the farmers and growers will be determined.

The development phase has to be completed and submitted to Skillnets by the 4th of April, and if approved the resultant training program will be rolled out from June onwards. The total cost of the approved program will receive grant support of up to 75% of cost. To ensure that the program is effectively managed and developed, the Western Organic Network will appoint a dedicated Project Coordinator, Leitrim Organic Farmers Coop will provide administrative backup.

Over the coming weeks organic Groups and individual producers will be approached to contribute to the development process. In the interim, written submissions on training requirements / delivery methods are invited from across the organic sector, and should be sent by post to John McCauley, Development Officer at Leitrim Organic Farmers Coop or emailed to leitrimorganic@hotmail.com.

The Skilnets programme represents a tremendous opportunity to expand and develop the skills base of the organic community and advance the sector on a regional basis. It will be run by producers, for producers and all farmers and growers should ensure the maximum advantages and benefits are elicited from this opportunity.