Continuing Professional Development (CPD) in Tier 4 of the Agricultural Reform Programme: A consultation

Ministerial foreword

Scotland’s agricultural sector is at the heart of our economy and our rural communities. We want to make sure that Scotland's farming and crofting businesses continue to thrive.

That is why we have set an ambition to make Scotland a global leader in sustainable and regenerative agriculture. To do that, we recognise our role in supporting our farmers and crofters to develop their skills and knowledge.

I know from discussions with stakeholders just how important skills and knowledge are to the sector. That is reflected in our plans for a four tier support framework for agriculture. The Complementary Tier 4 will be dedicated to growing skills and capabilities.

Continuing Professional Development (CPD) is a term widely used in other industries and professions but not one often used on our farms and crofts. I recognise that our farmers and crofters undertake their work as a way of life and a vocation but I also know that it is a profession requiring many different skills and a breadth of experience to rival any other sector. That is why when we talk about CPD what we mean is the range of learning activities and ways of gaining skills and experience that our farmers and crofters engage in in their daily work. I know these activities are already happening but equally they can be improved and our government recognises the additional supporting role we can play.

This is the first time we have undertaken an extensive consultation on the details of the future CPD system. I want to hear your views on the options that are set out in the consultation. I want to understand what you think about them. I want to be able to fully understand how – and if - the proposals meet your needs and that of the sector and what impacts they will have before I make a decision on the introduction of the CPD system, its approach and policies.

I want to emphasise that no decisions have been made on the introduction of a CPD system and what that system could look like. It is therefore vital that you engage with the consultation and provide your views so that they can help develop the policy for the CPD system before I decide on it. I encourage you to bring it to the attention of others who you think may have an interest in it.

This consultation builds on a range of work already undertaken with your support. I would like to thank everyone that has already contributed to the development of the Scottish Government’s proposals for Tier 4 of the Agricultural Reform Programme. We want to make sure our support is practical and will meet the needs of the sector. Your contributions will play an important role in making sure our policies meet those goals.

Experience from other sectors, and indeed from within the agriculture sector itself has shown, that CPD can form a key part of supporting a thriving industry. It can help those working in Scottish agriculture to advance their skills, knowledge, and expertise. CPD lets them think about what they need to do to develop themselves, how they will do it, and identify what access to training and other activities they need.

Many activities within CPD can also help to build new connections between participants and help underpin our communities. Our industry is one where farmers and crofters can be isolated and coming together to share understanding can be an important and valuable opportunity for companionship which goes beyond the learning and skills objectives.

The development of CPD, and a framework to record it, can help individuals to deliver a wide range of benefits. It can help make people and businesses more resilient and better able to adapt to change. It can also be good for individual businesses and help to transform the sector as a whole.

At a strategic level it can help to contribute towards delivery of the five outcomes of the Agricultural Reform Programme, including provision of support towards a Just Transition in respect of access to skills, knowledge exchange, wellbeing and mental health.

I look forward to receiving your response to this consultation. I also look forward to working with you on our key CPD policies and the wider Tier 4 delivery arrangements. Together, we can make sure they are practical, meet needs, and support the Vision for Agriculture and its outcomes.

Jim Fairlie MSP

Minister for Agriculture, Marine and the Islands