1. RDPE Skills Programme Victoria Hughes The Silvanus Trust www.woodland-directory-sw.org.uk www.silvanus.org.uk

2. What is Skills?  Aim: Develop & enhance skills and knowledge in the agricultural and forestry sectors.  The scheme provides 50% subsidised training for the agricultural and forestry sectors.  Funded through the RDPE and delivered by a partnership led by Duchy College under contract to the SWRDA.  The Silvanus Trust are contracted to organise training for the forestry sector.  Open to individuals, businesses, trainers and training providers.

3. Who is eligible? To be eligible for the funding participants must live and work in the South West and be employed/self employed as:  Farm owners and farm workers (holding No. required)  Forestry owners and forestry workers  Smallholders  Business largely or wholly related to farming/forestry  Tree surgeons/arboriculturists are not eligible unless they spend >50% of their time working in woodlands.

4. What is eligible? Courses must come under one of the following broad categories:  Business development and strategic change management e.g. business planning  Operational Efficiency and technical skills e.g. coppicing  Adding value and diversification e.g. woodfuel self supply  Legislative training is not eligible e.g. Chainsaw CS30/31, Pesticides PA5/6  Costs are limited to £80 per person per day

5. Example Courses  Selecting and Cutting Timber for Construction  Hedgelaying, Coppicing and Crafts  4x4 Driving for Woodland Access  Felling Conservation Coupes  Tree Planting  Woodfuel Quality Standards  1 Day First Aid  Business Planning  Woodmizer Operation  Deer Carcass Handling  Assessing Deer Impacts

6. Any Questions? Courses being run by The Silvanus Trust can be found at: www.silvanus.org.uk www.woodland-directory-sw.org.uk All Skills courses being run can be found at: www.cornwall.ac.uk/rbs

7. RDPE Update Cornwall - Funding available for:  Forest owners  Contractors  Primary processors Rest of Region - Currently no funding However, if you have an investment plan it is worth talking to Jez Ralph as the situation may change after July when Defra take over. Jez will enter you into the system ready for if/when funds become available. Jez.ralph@silvanus.org.uk 01752 846400