Continuing Professional Development (CPD) system in Tier 4 of the Agricultural Reform Programme: Island Communities Impact Assessment

7. Step Six – Making adjustments to your work

7.1 Should delivery mechanisms/mitigations vary in different communities?

The CPD system would apply throughout Scotland where there are a range of different types of farming and different scales of activities. It is not specific to communities or particular ones, including the islands. The system also includes flexibility as to how an individual undertakes their CPD, while recognising that a system could include some aspects that are required to be undertaken.

7.2 Do you need to consult with island communities in respect of mechanisms or mitigations?

We will undertake further consultation with island communities as part of the development of the CPD system.

7.3 Have island circumstances been factored into the evaluation process?

Island circumstances have been factored into the development of the CPD system. They have also been factored into the monitoring and evaluation of the CPD system.

7.4 Have any island-specific indicators/targets been identified that require monitoring?

Island-specific indicators include take-up within the CPD system as well as understanding the activities that are undertaken.

7.5 How will outcomes be measured on the islands?

There would be continual monitoring and evaluation of the CPD system as well as periodical formal monitoring and evaluation. Monitoring and evaluation would also be tied to the wider monitoring of the Vision of Agriculture Support Programme.

7.6 How has the policy, strategy or service affected island communities?

There is currently no formal CPD system for agriculture in place in Scotland. The system and its policy are intended to have a positive impact on persons in the islands as well as specific occupational groups. It could help to encourage and facilitate personal and professional development, and improvement in practices in agriculture, land management and other associated vocational fields. It could also enable individuals to keep their knowledge and skills up to date, provide ongoing personal development, help them manage change and transition, help businesses remain competitive, and contribute to the professionalisation of the sector.

Indirectly, it could help to promote the importance of ongoing development and learning, help provide evidence to enable an individual to continue to progress in their career, provide a better career structure in the sector, and highlight how knowledge and skills can benefit a business.

7.7 How will lessons learned in this ICIA inform future policy making and service delivery?

The ICIA has been an important tool to consider the needs and circumstances of the Islands within the development of the CPD system. Evidence has highlighted the importance of knowledge and skills for crofters in helping them to meet the challenges of agriculture, and ensure that they can help to meet the ambitions of the Scottish Government’s Agricultural Reform Programme and the Vision of Agriculture. It has also helped to review the existing evidence – including from research and consultations – and understand the particular characteristics of the agricultural workforce, and their use of knowledge. The needs of islanders would continue to be monitored and evaluated after a CPD system was implemented.