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

Consultation questions - Section 1: Users of the CPD system

This part of the consultation looks at who should use the CPD system. It also sets out to identify the range/scope of use and whether any groups should be included or not.

Who should the CPD system apply to?

Section 30 of the Agriculture and Rural Communities (Scotland) Act sets out a range of occupational groups that could be included in a CPD system. These groups are relevant whether the system is either voluntary or mandatory, or indeed a mixture of both approaches.

We will need to make sure the CPD system is fair and accessible. At the same time, we appreciate that the sector has a variety of different occupational groups and employment practices.

Farmers, crofters and land managers

Farmers, crofters, or farming or crofting businesses have the option of whether they want to apply for Scottish Government support through Rural Payments and Services, many of which are applied for using the Single Application Form (SAF). In order to apply, they need to have a BRN (Business Reference Number). There are a number of businesses which have a BRN which do not apply for support.

Regardless of whether an individual or a business applies for Scottish Government support or not, CPD is considered to potentially benefit all individuals and businesses and keep skills, knowledge, and expertise up-to-date.

We have a number of options available to us as to what individuals and farming and crofting businesses we include in the scope of the CPD system. Broadly, these include:

• Farming and crofting businesses with a BRN that are actively claiming agricultural support
• Businesses that are actively claiming agricultural support that have a number of BRNs (for example in different parts of Scotland)
• Farming and crofting businesses with a BRN that are not actively claiming agricultural support
• Farming and crofting businesses that do not have a BRN and do not claim agricultural support
• Individuals in a farming or crofting business that is actively claiming agricultural support (eg those persons other than the business members on a SAF form)
• Individuals in a farming or crofting business that is not actively claiming agricultural support (for example, the owner of the business, the manager of the business, the decision-maker in the business, employees)
• Individuals that provide services to a farm (for example, land manager consultant, adviser, consultant, veterinary adviser).

We propose that the following groups should be brought within the scope of the CPD system, in the first instance:

• Farming and crofting businesses with a BRN that are actively claiming agricultural support.

Within these farming and crofting businesses with a BRN, we could also apply to CPD to certain types or groups of businesses. These could include for example new entrants or to other types or groups.

In addition, within the farming and crofting businesses with a BRN that are actively claiming agricultural support, we also have a number of options as to the persons who should be brought within the scope of the CPD system. We consider that in the first instance that the following individuals should be brought within its scope:

Within these businesses, we also have a number of options as to the persons who should be brought within the scope of the CPD system. We consider that in the first instance that the following individuals should be brought within its scope:

• The business members recorded on the BRN, including the “Responsible person” and the “Business Representative” of a business with a BRN.
• The “Business Representative” excludes the “Advisory Firm” that represents the business in its dealings with RPID. Advisory firms cannot undertake CPD on behalf of a business, although they may support businesses in understanding or meeting any requirements.

We can also include other occupational groups within the scope of the CPD system. These include farm workers or particular groups of them. We know that there is support for people other than farmers, to be included.

We propose that CPD should also be undertaken by other people in a business with a BRN that is actively claiming agricultural support. These are the persons who are not designated as a “Responsible person”, “Business representative” or “Advisory firm”. They could include farm workers.

They could be brought into the scope of the CPD system at a later date. This will be considered following evaluation of the initial implementation of the CPD system.

We understand the complexity of the various groups and employment practices in agriculture. We consider that the following groups of farm workers should not be included in the scope of the CPD system:

• Students enrolled at secondary school and who can be legally employed
• Pre-apprentices / apprentice undertaking formal training (as recognised by Skills Development Scotland)
• Students from a recognised Higher or Further education institution as part of work placement or work experience
• Students from a recognised Higher or Further Education Institution (part-time or Full-time)
• Workers primarily employed on non-agricultural activities including shop, catering establishment, distribution warehouse etc
• Seasonal workers.

Question 1: Should the CPD system apply to businesses with a BRN that is actively claiming agricultural support? Yes / No / Don’t know

Please state your answer and give reasons for it.

Question 2: Should the CPD system apply to the persons on the BRN who are designated as the “Responsible Person” and the “Business Representative” (with the exception of “Advisory firms”)? Yes / No / Don’t know

Please state your answer and give reasons for it.

Question 3: Should other people in a business that is actively claiming agricultural support be brought within the scope of the CPD system at a later date? Yes / No / Don’t know

Please state your answer and give reasons for it.

Question 4: Do you agree or disagree with the proposed groups of workers that should not be included in the scope of the CPD system? Agree / Disagree / Don’t know

Please state your answer and give reasons for it.

Question 5: Do you think that CPD should only apply to certain types / groups of farmers, crofters and land managers such as new entrants? Yes / No / Don’t know

Please state your answer and give reasons for it.

Advice and service providers

Farmers, crofters and land managers use a wide range of sources to get specialist advice. These include agricultural advisors, consultants and specialists. Some of them already have their own CPD requirements e.g. BASIS and NRoSO (National Register of Sprayer Operators); and FBAASS (Farm Business Adviser Accreditation Scheme for Scotland). Each scheme has its own requirements. This includes the amount of CPD to be undertaken, activities and specific training courses.

Question 6: Should the CPD system apply to advice or service providers who do not currently undertake CPD? Yes / No / Don’t know

Question 7: If you answered yes, please state your answer and give reasons for it.

Question 8: Should advice or service providers who are required to undertake CPD in connection with that advice be required to undertake particular or further CPD? Yes / No / Don’t know

Question 9: If you answered yes, what should these requirements be?

Please state your answer and give reasons for it.