Land-based horticulture education Parliamentary inquiry launched

The new inquiry from the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee will explore the relationship between education and land-based industries and the effectiveness of current primary, secondary, further and higher education in embedding awareness and equipping students with the skills and knowledge necessary.

MPs will delve into existing and potential initiatives aimed at promoting the career opportunities in land-based sectors and will consider any examples of best practice for this, in the UK and abroad.

The EFRA Committee will also question what more can be done to facilitate new entrants into land-based industries, including people from non-rural backgrounds and those considering a career change. It will additionally consider the accessibility and availability of land-based courses and how equipped institutions are to teach them.

Wayne Grills, Chief Executive said:

"We welcome the inquiry with open arms and look forward to submitting our own Association response as well as feeding into the Environmental Horticulture Group response to the inquiry. This is another testimony to the great work that both BALI and other collaborative industry organisations have done in raising awareness of our industry and the issues that employers and educational establishments continue to face."

Call for evidence

The Committee invites written submissions through the inquiry website addressing any or all of the issues raised in the following terms of reference, by 23:55 on Friday 3 November.

1. How can the understanding and awareness of career opportunities in land-based sectors be improved among children and young adults?
2. How effective is the education system at supporting young people seeking careers in land-based sectors? For example, are routes such as T levels and apprenticeships fit for purpose?
3. What more can be done to facilitate new entrants, including those from non-rural backgrounds, into land-based sectors, including those considering a career change?
4. Are colleges offering land-based education accessible and available to those seeking to enrol in courses? Are there gaps in coverage and if so, how can these be addressed?
5. Do colleges offering land-based education have the appropriate facilities and funding to enable effective teaching (e.g. access to farmland)? What more can be done to make this teaching more effective?
6. What role should schools, colleges, universities, and local and central government play in promoting and supporting careers in land-based sectors?
7. How can more children, young people and adults be provided with opportunities to see the career opportunities in land-based sectors first-hand? Are there examples of initiatives doing this successfully (for example, through initiatives such as Open Farm Sunday)?
8. Are there domestic or international examples of best practice in successfully promoting educational opportunities and careers in land-based sectors?