RURAL businesses are set to gain from a new government-funded project that aims to boost competitiveness.

Lantra, the skills council for the environmental and land-based sector, has won funding from DEFRA (Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)

to help rural enterprises.

The Diversification Support Project, due to start this month, will include

a series of events, including one at Betteshanger Colliery, near Deal, on October 2, and training courses aimed at supporting businesses, especially those interested in managing change.

As part of the project, free SkillChecks - Lantra's training needs analysis

service - will be offered on a first come, first served basis to 100 rural businesses.

"Our SkillCheck service has already helped hundreds of businesses around the

UK to identify their training and development needs," said Ashford-based regional project manager John Godden.

"Once employers have highlighted any skill gaps and room for development

within their business, we can set about identifying those that could benefit

from significantly subsidised training.

"This sort of training needs analysis is also extremely useful to Lantra and

rural industries as a whole, as it enables us to map existing skill levels

and anticipate future training demands," says John.

A variety of local business development events, focusing on topics including

technology transfer, livestock husbandry, funding guidance, marketing, and

the benefits of the Investors in People standard for small businesses, will

be held around the region in the coming months.

Two networking events specifically for horticultural and agricultural businesses will also be held, with the aim of enabling employers to share best practice.

There will also be advice on the England Rural Development Programme (ERDP) and identifying and implementing successful project ideas and

diversification opportunities.

For more information, contact John Godden on 01233 610438 or john.godden@lantra.co.uk.