Yesterday DEFRA announced the introduction of a scheme that will help 90,000 business people in rural areas through specialist training in business and management, information technology and market opportunities. An excerpt from the DEFRA press release is set out below, or to read the article in full please follow this link.
‘At least 90,000 aspiring business people will get specialist training as part of the Government’s latest drive towards rural economic growth Environment Secretary, Owen Paterson has announced.
The new Government £20 million business training scheme will bring new skills and business knowledge to rural areas, helping them take up new opportunities in the home and export markets.
Environment Secretary Owen Paterson said:
“Having the right skills to run a business is crucial if budding entrepreneurs want to be successful. For too long the needs of rural business people have been overlooked. Those days are now over. Businesses in the remotest parts of the country will now have access to the best training so they can grow and help our country to compete even more in the global race.”
Defra will meet 70 per cent of training costs through its Rural Development Programme for England with the remaining 30 per cent met by individuals or their employers.
Subsidised courses in subjects including business and management, market opportunities and information technology will be open to businesses and individuals. They will range from one-day workshops to industry-recognised qualifications and will be run on college campuses, in village halls, on farms and in business centres. The organisations providing the training will be able to tailor the courses to meet demand.’
