The award-winning Springboard Women’s Development Programme, aimed at women in agriculture, forestry and horticulture, will start on Rotherham on October 26.

The £30 course, which is co-ordinated by Milecastle Consultancy and the South Yorkshire Rural Skills Project, is part funded by the European Union.

Springboard trainer Sue Hewitt said: “This programme has something to offer to all women, enabling them to take control of their lives, change what they want to change, set and achieve goals. Recent research has shown measurable business benefits such as greater productivity, better problem solving and decision-making, and improved use of resources.

“I believe it will give a significant boost to those forward-thinking businesses who take advantage of this opportunity".

Helen Spooner, at the South Yorkshire Rural Skills Programme instigated the collaboration with Milecastle Consultancy. She said: “We wanted to deliver Springboard as it filled a need that we had identified within our client group. I am really pleased that we have funding for women in these businesses to benefit from the programme.”