Hadlow College launched its Fresh Start Academy for new entrants to the industry and those looking to learn more about farming.

The new course, which is free of charge, was in part inspired by an increase in demand driven by the changing economy and by a recognition that more investment is needed to bring people into the industry.

The draft programme, to start in January 2010, features an introduction to agriculture and a look at career paths and opportunities for training, as well as practical sessions on fruit management, marketing and storage, sheep handling and lambing and cattle handling, milking and pasture management.

Mark Lumsdon-Taylor from Hadlow College said: “We want to engage people to learn about the agricultural and horticultural sectors and raise their profiles, so we are launching Fresh Start for new entrants t help create a forward-looking farming industry.”

Douglas Jackson, rural business consultant for the Laurence Gould Partnership, added: “The programme for new entrants is about exploring where you want to take your career, about training advice and future support. We will be bringing in industry experts to talk about what they have done and what they learnt.

The first Fresh Start Academy, aimed at upskilling those already in the industry, was launched in 2006 and the first students graduated in 2008.

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