New year, new opportunities for NR Training
2024 is shaping up to be another exciting year for NR Training.
As part of a consortium of local colleges and training providers, Newton Rigg Ltd has been successful in being awarded a proportion of the £2.5 million Local Skills Improvement Fund (LSIF) made available to Cumbria to develop training in low carbon, land based and logistics, digital, and catering and hospitality.
Suzanne Caldwell, Managing Director of Cumbria Chamber of Commerce, said: “It’s great that Cumbrian partners now have the funding confirmed to implement their LSIF projects. These will enable further important steps in implementing the Cumbrian Local Skills Improvement Plan, impacting positively on both employers and learners.”
The focus of delivery by NR Training will be on ‘Carbon Literacy and Land Use’, supported by feasibility study and course development for low carbon opportunities in the horticultural and land sector.
Courses will be run from mid March 2024, and beyond.
As 2023 came to a close NR Training’s first cohort of learners on the Gateway to Rural Employment programme, successfully completed their Open College Network qualification gaining Level 1 Award in Skills for Professions in Horticulture, Environmental and Animal Care. Learners will be receiving their Certificates shortly and have gone on to further study and to support local parish council initiatives with the knowledge and skills gained.
As one door closes, another opens. To enable the team to focus on its strengths, and to support the success of the LSIF programme, the Metal Shed delivery site at Appleby Heritage Centre has closed, but NR Training will hopefully continue to support the community of the Eden Valley if successful in gaining Apprenticeship Provider and Assessment Register status, in time for September 2024.
Since NR Training started in 2021, it has been a privilege to have the horticultural base at Lowther Castle and Gardens and NR Training is very grateful to Lowther for the support, which has enabled over 150 Horticultural learners to gain new skills and knowledge.
As plans develop for the start of the 2024/25 academic year Newton Rigg is delighted to be able to announce the return to the roots on the Newton Rigg Estate with a new horticultural educational teaching facility. Within this facility Newton Rigg plans to offer not only the successful Certificate and Diploma courses but also develop courses in Agronomy.
During the last few years, strong links with a number of gardens, horticultural groups and growers have been built which Newton Rigg intends to continue working with in the future. They include:
· Askham Hall Gardens
· Acorn Bank Gardens
· Dalefoot Composts
· North Cumbria Orchard Group
· Dalemain Gardens
· Home Grown Cumbria
· Larch Cottage Nurseries
· Holehird Gardens
Newton Rigg intends to continue the link with Lowther Castle & Gardens.
The Newton Rigg Equestrian Training & Events Centre, continues to grow with new opportunities for 2024 being offered from the Newton Rigg Estate including a Thoroughbred Club and Cobs Can Club. The Livery packages available enables users to either go for anything from full livery to overnight stabling depending on need. Contact events@newtonriggequestrian.co.uk for more information.
To find out more about how NR Trainings offer develops throughout 2024 then keep an eye on the website www.nrtraining.co.uk, and social media www.facebook.com/newtonriggnrtraining
If you want to help on this exciting journey by volunteering your expertise or time; by fundraising for the education charity or by sponsoring Newton Rigg, then get in touch and see what opportunities there are to work together.
Email Support@nrtraining.co.uk or call 07940151563