Terms of reference for the Permanent Sub-committee on Skills Development and Training

Legislation for the creation of the Agricultural Advisory Panel for Wales was included in the Agricultural Sector (Wales) Act 2014. The panel was established in April by means of the Agricultural Advisory Panel for Wales (Establishment Order 2016). 

Section 14(1) of the order requires that the panel must establish a permanent sub-committee known as the “Skills Development and Training Sub-committee”. Section 14(3) specifies that one member shall be selected from the membership of the Wales Federation of Young Farmers’ Clubs and one from Lantra Wales. Other members will be the independent members of the panel who have been appointed by ministers and possibly others who may be appointed by the panel in due course.

Lantra Wales has nominated Kevin Thomas, Director and the YFC Wales members are Sian Thomas and Nia Lloyd.

The panel may appoint other members to provide the necessary expertise to take this work forward. Therefore Unite and NFU/FUW may wish to suggest persons from their organisations to serve. In addition, there may be others who the panel feel would be appropriate members.

To develop an integrated strategic vision for the delivery of careers education, information, advice and guidance in the agriculture sector in Wales.

The committee will act as a catalyst for efficient and effective cooperation between organisations delivering careers support and training in the sector. It will provide advice to the Agriculture Advisory Panel on skills development, training and career progression and to Welsh Ministers as requested.

Providing a focus on:

• skills development and training as a key investment in the industry rather than a cost
• the needs of individuals working in the sector including management skills, core skills and career development
• the needs of those approaching a new career in the industry
• assessing what gaps there are in provision and ways of addressing those
• facilitating discussion about the future skills development of the agricultural sector between various service provider organisations and other stakeholders
• providing challenge existing provision where needed.

This will be agreed by the committee and the panel to facilitate the development of:

• shared quality standards in the delivery of education, information, advice and guidance for the sector - particularly in relation to professional development and quality assurance
• a map of existing provision to identify any gaps or duplication.

The sub-committee will be responsible for:

• developing and delivering an agreed programme of work
• providing advice to the panel on developing and monitoring a strategic approach to skills development, training and career pathways
• helping to shape future research and guiding the development of recommendations for further work.

This committee can only be successful if organisations and individuals commit to a shared agenda for its work. Members will have a representative role and will be expected to ensure a good flow of information, comments and developments are brought to the committee, and through to the panel from the wider group.

Appointments or for 5 years. After 2 years the group will review the relevance and value of its work and the terms of reference. This will include a review of the membership.

• the committee will deliver an agreed programme of work. The initial draft programme of work will be discussed by the panel and the sub-committee before adoption
• members may be contacted between meetings if a specific need for advice occurs
• non-members may be invited to participate in particular meetings of the forum as appropriate for the topics under discussion.

The sub-committee is to inform the panel on future research needs as the panel is required to obtain approval in advance for any expense incurred

There will be a minimum of 3 meetings per year to be held at venues determined by the Chair in consultation with the sub-committee.