LANSS to collaborate with Kendal College on delivery of new rural skills apprenticeship

LANSS is working with employers, University of Cumbria, providers, and learners in and near to Cumbria to coordinate across the land and nature-based sectors. The service connects people with learning and training opportunities, with a focus on facilitating the development of skills provision to meet learner and employer needs in Cumbria.

As part of its remit, LANSS is investigating rural and heritage skills provision in Cumbria and working with employers and training providers to identify skills gaps and enable local training provision.

The new service will include a comprehensive online directory of training opportunities, in-person advice on skill development pathways, and a service team hosted at the university’s Ambleside campus.

Those using the service may be employed or self- employed in the land and nature workforce or looking to move into these careers, they may also be volunteers and people seeking lifelong learning opportunities.

The service will engage directly with schools and colleges, and with disadvantaged groups and communities which are underrepresented in the sector, a key area of University of Cumbria’s mission in its Towards 2030 strategy.

Geneve Brand, Communications & Engagement Lead at LANSS, who is leading on the Rural + Heritage Skills Project said:

“As Cumbria is a rural county and home to the Lake District National Park and UNESCO World Heritage Site, there is a real need for these skills. However, it is surprising how lacking training provision is in some cases, even at a national level, with learners having to travel significant distances for certain apprenticeships.”

An example of this is the Countryside Worker apprenticeship. Speaking with local employers, we understand that many organisations take apprentices who undertake their practical work- based training in Cumbria, but they are having to go out of county on block release for their college-based learning, which can be a barrier to entry for many.

The Countryside Worker apprenticeship is a 12-month Level 2 course, and learners typically learn rural skills such as Countryside Legislation, Land Management, Boundary repair and Construction, Conservation, Ecology, Climate Change, Sustainability, Map Reading, and Surveying.

Following the apprenticeship, many apprentices then progress into employment in the land and nature-based sectors in Cumbria and/or continue their professional studies, specialising in one or more of the subject areas.

However, when people must travel long distances to have their learning and training needs met, they either choose not to go or they leave often never to return. Instead, we would like to see Cumbria at the heart of land and nature-based learning and training, and for the county to become a beacon for the northwest.

Kendal College supports this view. After hearing about the findings of the research LANSS has been conducting, the college has confirmed that it will offer the Countryside Worker apprenticeship from September 2025.

Sinéad Kay, Director of Arts, Apprenticeships & Education, commented:

“We are already a leader in training provision for the land and nature-based sectors in Cumbria, and where there is a need, we will always aim to offer additional courses. We have the experience to deliver these courses and apprenticeships, and we are keen to work with employers in Cumbria to meet the training needs of employers and resolve skills gaps.”

Dan Stamper, Head of Faculty for Agriculture, Animal, Health and Science, adds:

“To help us achieve this, we also welcome the support of local employers. For example, running costs for certain apprenticeships can be quite high when specialist equipment or premises are needed. That’s where collaboration with employers can really help”

Another issue with rural and heritage skills is an ageing workforce. As Geneve Brand explains:

“I’ve been speaking to a range of organisations across Cumbria and the message is consistent – whether it’s hedge laying and drystone walling, stonemasonry and slate mining, or even blacksmithing and farriery – the average age of its experienced craftspeople is increasing year on year, and finding and/or training up the next generation is a real issue.”

Dan Stamper adds:

“This is something Kendal College may be able to facilitate. We need expert craftspeople to run specialist courses or include these modules within an apprenticeship. If you’re an expert in your field and would like to pass on your knowledge and skills to the next generation, perhaps you’d be suited to becoming a tutor or assessor. We’d love to hear from you!”

The Countryside Worker apprenticeship is flexible in its approach and there is scope to include specialist modulus to meet the needs of employers in Cumbria. Kendal College is keen to develop this apprenticeship so that it is tailored to Cumbria and is working with LANSS to set up this bespoke apprenticeship for delivery from September 2025.

If you would like to get involved or find out more, please do get in touch with LANSS.

ENDS